Methods and apparatus to correlate unique identifiers and tag-individual correlators based on status change indications

ABSTRACT

A method includes generating registration data, wherein the registration data comprises at least a tag-individual correlator and a status, receiving a status change indication, for at least one tag, wherein the at least one tag is identified by a tag unique identifier; correlating the tag unique identifier and the tag-individual correlator in the registration data; and updating the status in the registration data for the status change indication.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/523,449, filed Oct. 24, 2014, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent App. No. 61/895,548, filed Oct. 25, 2013 and is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/942,316,filed Jul. 15, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional App. No.61/831,990, filed Jun. 6, 2013. The entire contents of each of theforegoing applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD

Embodiments discussed herein are related to radio frequency locatingand, more particularly, to systems, methods, apparatus, and computerreadable media for providing collecting and displaying sporting eventdata based on real time data for proximity and movement of objects.

BACKGROUND

Producing analysis of performance for sports events and/or teams isgenerally a resource intensive process often involving experiencedindividuals manually reviewing games or recordings of games to compileevents and statistics for a game and the participants. Such analysis maybe error prone as it requires reviewing a large number of participantsmoving among complex formations at each moment of a game.

A number of deficiencies and problems associated with providingperformance analytics are identified herein. Through applied effort,ingenuity, and innovation, exemplary solutions to many of theseidentified problems are embodied by the present invention, which isdescribed in detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided inaccordance with an example embodiment for collecting and displayingsporting event data based on real time data for proximity and movementof objects. In an example embodiment, a method is provided that includesgenerating registration data. The registration data includes at least atag-individual correlator and a status. The method also includesreceiving a status change indication, for at least one tag, wherein theat least one tag is identified by a tag unique identifier, correlatingthe tag unique identifier and the tag-individual correlator in theregistration data. The method also including updating the registrationdata for the status change indication.

In an example embodiment, the method also includes causing the at leastone tag to be activated such that the tag transmits the tag uniqueidentifier at a predetermined interval. Receiving the status changeindication further includes receiving an indication that the tag haschanged status to active; and updating the status in the registrationdata further comprises updating the status in the registration data asactive. In an example embodiment, the method also includes causing theat least one tag to be deactivated such that the tag stops transmittingthe tag unique identifier at a predetermined interval. Receiving thestatus change indication further compromises receiving an indicationthat the tag has changed status to deactivated, and updating the statusin the registration data further comprises updating the status in theregistration data as deactivated.

In some example embodiments of the method the at least one tag transmitsthe tag unique identifier at a first blink rate and the method furtherincludes causing the at least one tag to be adjusted such that the atleast one tag transmits the tag unique identifier at a second blinkrate. In an example embodiment, the method also includes receiving anindication of a tag replacement, updating the tag-Individual correlatorwith the replaced tag data, and replacing the tag unique identifier inthe registration data with a replacement tag unique identifier. In someexample embodiments of the method, receiving the status changeindication further compromises receiving an indication that a tag hasbeen attached to a participant, and updating the status in theregistration data further comprises updating the status in theregistration data as attached.

In another example embodiment a method is provided including receivingtag blink data from a plurality of receivers. The tag blink dataincludes a tag unique identifier. The method also includes determiningone or more tags detected by the plurality of receivers, based on acomparison of the tag unique identifiers received by a respectivereceiver and registration data. The registration data comprises a tagindividual correlator for a plurality of tags. The method also includesdetermining a system status based on comparing the one or more tagsdetected to the plurality of tags of the registration data.

In an example embodiment of the method the one or more tags detectedfurther comprise reference tags, and determining the system statusfurther comprises determining a respective receiver status based on acomparison of a predetermined number of reference tag registration dataand the number of detected reference tags by the respective receiver. Insome example embodiments of the method, determining the system statusfurther comprises determining a respective receiver status based on thetransmission time of the respective receiver. In an example embodimentof the method, the one or more tags detected further comprise referencetags, and determining the system status further comprises determining arespective reference tag status based on a comparison a predeterminednumber of receivers detecting the respective reference tag and thenumber of receivers which determined detection of the respectivereference tag.

In some example embodiments of the method, tag blink data furtherincludes battery life, and determining the system status furthercomprises determining a respective tag status based on comparing thebattery life of the respective tag to a predetermined value. In anexample embodiment, the method also includes determining a tag blinkrate, and wherein the determining a system status further comprisesdetermining a respective tag status based on comparing the determinedtag blink rate to a predetermined blink rate. In an example embodiment,the method also includes causing the system status to display on agraphic user interface.

In further example embodiments, a method is provided including receivingtag blink data from at least one participant tag, calculating taglocation data based on the tag blink data, classifying the tag locationdata by associating tag location data with a participant tag identifier,filtering tag event data by applying tag location offsets to one or moretag location data, wherein the tag event data comprises at least twoclassified tag location data, calculating multidimensional playerlocation information per unit time based on the tag event data, andcreating a visualization of the multidimensional player locationinformation per unit time.

In an example embodiment, the method also includes creating a raw datafile and causing the raw data file to be stored in a data storage. Insome example embodiments, the method also includes determining a unit ofwork, wherein the unit of work comprises the tag location data for apredetermined period of time, and the creating a multidimensional playerlocation per unit time is based on the determined unit of work. In anexample embodiment, the method also includes creating a filtered datafile and causing the filter data file to be stored in a data storage. Insome example embodiments, the method also includes reducing themultidimensional player location information per unit time byassociating a first participant multidimensional player locationinformation per unit time with a second participant multidimensionalplayer location information per unit time.

In an example embodiment, the method also includes causing thevisualization to be displayed on a graphic user interface. In someexample embodiments, the method also includes causing the visualizationto be stored in a data storage. In an example embodiment, the methodalso includes parsing the tag blink data by data field

In still a further example embodiment, a method is provided includingcalculating a tag data filter parameter for a plurality of tag eventsbased on receiving tag blink data and tag location data, wherein the tagdata filter parameter includes a blink period, distance span, orvelocity, calculating a participant location data adjustment factorbased on the tag filter parameter, and calculating multidimensionalplayer location information per unit time based on the plurality of tagevents and the participant location adjustment factor.

In an example embodiment, the method also includes determining tag blinkdata with compromised accuracy by analyzing a tag blink data qualityindicator; and dismissing the tag blink data with compromised accuracyfrom further analysis. In some example embodiments of the method, tagblink data with compromised accuracy is based on at least one of dataquality index, received signal strength index, real time location systemerror rate, or tag error codes. In an example embodiment of the method,determining tag blink data with compromised accuracy further comprisescomparing a tag blink data quality or integrity value to a predeterminedvalue, wherein in an instance in which the data quality or integrityvalue satisfies the predetermined threshold the tag blink data accuracyis determined to be compromised.

In an example embodiment of the method, calculating a participantlocation adjustment factor further comprises determining an adjustmentfor a missed blink. In some example embodiments of the method,calculating a participant location adjustment factor further comprisesdetermining an adjustment for pop blink. In an example embodiment of themethod, calculating a participant location adjustment factor furthercomprises determining an adjustment for tag-tag offset.

In yet a further example embodiment, a method is provided which includesreceiving analytic or event data corresponding to at least oneparticipant characteristic, wherein the analytic or event data isassociated with a tag location associated with a participant, generatingat least one display element associated with the analytic or event datacorresponding to the at least one participant characteristic at one ormore time intervals, and causing the at least one display element to bedisplayed in an interface, wherein the interface is configured to sizethe at least one data element within the user interface to enable thedisplay of a plurality of display elements in the display, the interfacebeing further configured to display location data for the participant inat least one display element.

In an example embodiment, the method also includes causing, via aprocessor, based at least in part on the input, the performance of anoperation associated with the display element that has been selected. Insome example embodiments of the method, the analytic or event dataincludes data derived from a tag location over a defined time period. Inan example embodiment of the method, the tag is configured tocommunicate using ultra-wide band signals. In some example embodimentsof the method, the interface is configured to display at least onedisplay element configured to display analytic or event data in varyinglevels of detail.

In an example embodiment of the method, the interface is configured todisplay the at least one display element configured to display analyticor event data in at least one of an icon form, a graph form, a panelform, and a full function display element form. In some exampleembodiments of the method, the full function display element form isdisplayed as a larger display element than the icon form, the graphform, and the panel form. In an example embodiment of the method, thepanel form is displayed as a larger display element than the graph formand the icon form. In some example embodiments of the method, the graphform is displayed as a larger display element than the icon form. Insome example embodiments of the method, the interface is furtherconfigured receive an input corresponding to a user input requesting atleast one display element to be change from any one of the display formsto another display form.

In yet another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided including atleast one processor and at least one memory including computer programcode, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to,with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least generateregistration data, wherein the registration data comprises at least atag-individual correlator and a status, receive a status changeindication, for at least one tag, wherein the at least one tag isidentified by the tag unique identifier, correlate the tag uniqueidentifier and the tag-individual correlator in the registration data,and update the status in the registration data for the status changeindication.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the at least one memory andthe computer program code are further configured to cause the at leastone tag to be activated such that the tag transmits the tag uniqueidentifier at a predetermined interval. Receiving a status changeindication further comprises receiving an indication that the tag haschanged status to active and updating the status in the registrationdata further comprises updating the status in the registration data asactive. In some example embodiments the at least one memory and thecomputer program code, of the apparatus, are further configured to causethe at least one tag to be deactivated such that the tag stopstransmitting the tag unique identifier at a predetermined interval.Receiving a status change indication further comprises receiving anindication that the tag has changed status to deactivated and updatingthe status in the registration data further comprises updating thestatus in the registration data as deactivated.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the at least one tagtransmits the tag unique identifier at a first blink rate and the atleast one memory and the computer program code are further configured tocause the at least one tag to be adjusted such that the tag transmitsthe tag unique identifier at a second blink rate. In some exampleembodiments of the apparatus, the at least one memory and the computerprogram code are further configured to receive an indication of a tagreplacement comprising a replacement tag unique identifier, update thetag-individual correlator with the replacement tag unique identifier,and replace the tag unique identifier in the registration data with thereplacement tag unique identifier.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, receiving status changeindication further comprises receiving an indication that a tag has beenattached to a participant and updating the status in the registrationdata further comprises updating the status in the registration data asattached.

In another example embodiment an apparatus is provided including atleast one processor and at least one memory including computer programcode, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to,with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive tag blinkdata from a plurality of receivers, wherein the tag blink data comprisesa tag unique identifier, determine one or more tags detected by theplurality of receivers, based on a comparison of the tag uniqueidentifiers received by a respective receiver and registration data,wherein the registration data comprises a tag-individual correlator fora plurality of tags, and determine a system status based on comparingthe one or more tags detected to the plurality of tags of theregistration data.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the one or more tags detectedfurther comprise reference tags and determining the system status alsoincludes determining a respective receiver status based on a comparisonof a predetermined number of reference tag registration data and thenumber of detected reference tags by the respective receiver. In someexample embodiments, determining the system status further includesdetermining a respective receiver status based on the transmission timeof the respective receiver.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the one or more tags detectedfurther comprise reference tags and determining the system status alsoincludes determining a respective reference tag status based on acomparison a predetermined number of receivers detecting the respectivereference tag and the number of receivers which determined detection ofthe respective reference tag. In some example embodiments of theapparatus, tag blink data further comprises battery life and determiningthe system status also includes determining a respective tag statusbased on comparing the battery life of the respective tag to apredetermined value.

In some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the computerprogram code, of the apparatus, are further configured to determine atag blink rate and determining the system status further comprisesdetermining a respective tag status based on comparing the determinedtag blink rate to a predetermined blink rate. In an example embodimentof the apparatus, the at least one memory and the computer program codeare further configured to cause the system status to display on agraphic user interface.

In still another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided includingat least one processor and at least one memory including computerprogram code, the at least one memory and computer program codeconfigured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at leastreceive tag blink data from at least one participant tag, calculate taglocation data based on the tag blink data, classify the tag locationdata associating tag location data with a participant tag identifier,filter tag event data by applying tag location offsets to one or moretag location data, wherein tag event data comprises at least twoclassified tag location data, calculate multidimensional player locationinformation per unit time based on the tag event data, and create avisualization of the multidimensional player location information perunit time.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the at least one memory andthe computer program code are further configured to create a raw datafile and cause the raw data file to be stored in a data storage. In someexample embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer programcode, of the apparatus, are further configured to determine a unit ofwork wherein the unit of work comprises the tag location data for apredetermined period of time; and the creating a multidimensional playerlocation per unit time is based on the determined unit of work.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the at least one memory andthe computer program code are further configured to create a filtereddata file and cause the filter data file to be stored in a data storage.In some example embodiments, the at least one memory and the computerprogram code, of the apparatus, are further configured to reduce themultidimensional player location information per unit time byassociating a first participant multidimensional player locationinformation per unit time with a second participant multidimensionalplayer location information per unit time.

In some example embodiments of the apparatus, the at least one memoryand the computer program code are further configured to cause thevisualization to be displayed on a graphic user interface. In an exampleembodiment of the apparatus, the at least one memory and the computerprogram code are further configured to cause the visualization to bestored in a data storage. In some example embodiments of the apparatus,the at least one memory and the computer program code are furtherconfigured to parse the tag blink data by data field.

In a further example embodiment, an apparatus is provided including atleast one processor and at least one memory including computer programcode, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to,with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least calculate a tagfilter parameter for a plurality of tag events based on received tagblink data and tag location data, wherein the tag filter parametercomprises a blink period, distance span, or velocity, calculate aparticipant location data adjustment factor based on the tag filterparameter, and calculate multidimensional player location informationper unit time based on the plurality tag events and the participantlocation adjustment factor.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the at least one memory andthe computer program code are further configured to determine tag blinkdata with compromised accuracy by analyzing a tag blink data qualityindication; and dismissing the tag blink data with compromised accuracyfrom further analysis. In some example embodiments of the apparatus, tagblink data with compromised accuracy is based on at least one of dataquality index, received signal strength index, real time location systemerror rate, or tag error codes.

In some example embodiments of the apparatus, determining tag blink datawith compromised accuracy further comprises comparing a tag blink dataquality or integrity value to a predetermined value, wherein in aninstance in which the data quality or integrity value satisfies thepredetermined threshold the tag blink data accuracy is determined to becompromised. In an example embodiment of the apparatus, calculating aparticipant location adjustment factor further comprises determining anadjustment for a missed blink.

In some example embodiments of the apparatus, calculating a participantlocation adjustment factor further comprises determining an adjustmentfor pop blink. In an example embodiment of the apparatus, calculating aparticipant location adjustment factor further comprises determining anadjustment for tag-tag offset.

In yet another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided including atleast one processor and at least one memory including computer programcode, the at least one memory and the computer program code configuredto, with the processor, cause the apparatus to receive analytic or eventdata corresponding to at least one participant characteristic, whereinthe analytic or event data is associated with a tag location associatedwith a participant, generate at least one display element associatedwith the analytic or event data corresponding to the at least oneparticipant characteristic at one or more time intervals, and cause theat least one display element to be displayed in an interface, whereinthe interface is configured to size the at least one data element withinthe user interface to enable the display of a plurality of displayelements in the display, the interface being further configured todisplay location data for the participant in at least one displayelement.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the at least one memory andthe computer program code configured to, with the processor, furthercause the apparatus to perform an operation associated with the displayelement that has been selected. In some example embodiments of theapparatus, the analytic or event data includes data derived from a taglocation over a defined time period. In an example embodiment of theapparatus, the tag is configured to communicate using ultra-wide bandsignals.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the interface is configuredto display at least one display element configured to display analyticdata in varying levels of detail. In some example embodiments of theapparatus, the interface is configured to display the at least onedisplay element configured to display analytic data in at least one ofan icon form, a graph form, a panel form, and a full function displayelement form. In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the fullfunction display element form is displayed as a larger display elementthan the icon form, the graph form, and the panel form. In some exampleembodiments, the panel form is displayed as a larger display elementthan the graph form and the icon form.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the graph form is displayedas a larger display element than the icon form. In some exampleembodiments of the apparatus, the interface is further configuredreceive an input corresponding to a user input requesting at least onedisplay element to be change from any one of the display forms toanother display form.

In yet a further example embodiment, a computer program product isprovided including at least one non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein,the computer-executable program code portions comprising program codeinstructions configured to generate registration data, wherein theregistration data comprises a tag-individual correlator and a status,receive status change indication, for at least one tag, wherein the atleast one tag is identified by the unique identifier, correlate the tagunique identifier tag-individual correlator in the registration data,and update the status in the registration data for the status changeindication.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, thecomputer-executable program code portions further comprise program codeinstructions configured to cause the at least one tag to be activatedsuch that the tag transmits the tag unique identifier at a predeterminedinterval. Receiving the status change indication further compromisesreceiving an indication that the tag has changed status to active, andupdating the status in the registration data further comprises updatingthe status in the registration data as active. In some exampleembodiments of the computer program product, the computer-executableprogram code portions further comprise program code instructionsconfigured to cause the at least one tag to be deactivated such that thetag stops transmitting the unique identifier at a predeterminedinterval. Receiving the status change indication further compromisesreceiving an indication that the tag has changed status to deactivatedand updating the status in the registration data further comprisesupdating the status in the registration data as deactivated.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, the at leastone tag transmits the tag unique identifier at a first blink rate. Thecomputer-executable program code portions further comprise program codeinstructions configured to cause the at least one tag to be adjustedsuch that the tag transmits the tag unique identifier at a second blinkrate. In some example embodiments of the computer program product, thecomputer-executable program code portions further comprise program codeinstructions configured to receive an indication of a tag replacementcomprising a replacement tag unique identifier, update thetag-individual correlator with the replacement tag unique identifier,and replace the tag unique identifier in the registration data with thereplacement tag unique identifier.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, receiving thestatus change indication further compromises receiving an indicationthat a tag has been attached to a participant and updating the status inthe registration data further comprises updating the status in theregistration data as attached.

In another example embodiment, a computer program product is providedincluding, at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumhaving computer-executable program code portions stored therein, thecomputer-executable program code portions comprising program codeinstructions configured to receive tag blink data from a plurality ofreceivers, wherein the tag blink data comprises a tag unique identifier,determine one or more tags detected by the plurality of receivers, basedon a comparison of the tag unique identifiers received by a respectivereceiver and registration data, wherein the registration data comprisestag-individual correlator, and determine a system status based oncomparing the one or more tags detected to the plurality of tags of theregistration data.

In some example embodiments of the computer program product, the one ormore tags detected further comprise reference tags and determining thesystem status further comprises determining a respective receiver statusbased on a comparison of a predetermined number of reference tagregistration data and the number of detected reference tags by therespective receiver. In an example embodiment of the computer programproduct, determining the system status further comprises determining arespective receiver status based on the transmission time of therespective receiver. In some example embodiments of the computer programproduct, the one or more tags detected further comprise reference tagsand determining the system status further comprises determining arespective reference tag status based on a comparison a predeterminednumber of receivers detecting the respective reference tag and thenumber of receivers which determined detection of the respectivereference tag.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, the tag blinkdata further comprises a battery life and determining the system statusfurther comprises determining a respective tag status based on comparingthe battery life of the respective tag to a predetermined value. In someexample embodiments of the computer program product, thecomputer-executable program code portions further comprise program codeinstructions configured to determine a tag blink rate and thedetermining a system status further comprises determining a respectivetag status based on comparing the determined tag blink rate to apredetermined blink rate. In an example embodiment of the computerprogram product, the computer-executable program code portions furthercomprise program code instructions configured to cause the system statusto display on a graphic user interface.

In yet a further example embodiment, a computer program product isprovided including at least one non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein,the computer-executable program code portions comprising program codeinstructions configured to receive tag blink data from at least oneparticipant tag, calculate tag location data based on the tag blinkdata, classify the tag location data by associating tag location datawith a participant tag identifier, filter tag event data by applying taglocation offsets to one or more tag location data, wherein the tag eventdata comprises at least two classified tag location data, calculatemultidimensional player location information per unit time based on thetag event data, and create a visualization of the multidimensionalplayer location information per unit time.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, the at leastone memory and the computer program code are further configured tocreate a raw data file and cause the raw data file to be stored in adata storage. In some example embodiments of the computer programproduct, the computer-executable program code portions further compriseprogram code instructions configured to determine a unit of work,wherein the unit of work comprises the tag location data for apredetermined period of time and the creating a multidimensional playerlocation per unit time is based on the determined unit of work.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product thecomputer-executable program code portions further comprise program codeinstructions configured to create a filtered data file and cause thefilter data file to be stored in a data storage. In some exampleembodiments of the computer program product, the computer-executableprogram code portions further comprise program code instructionsconfigured to reduce the multidimensional player location informationper unit time by associating a first participant multidimensional playerlocation information per unit time with a second participantmultidimensional player location information per unit time.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product thecomputer-executable program code portions further comprise program codeinstructions configured to cause the visualization to be displayed on agraphic user interface. In some example embodiments of the computerprogram product, the computer-executable program code portions furthercomprise program code instructions configured to cause the visualizationto be stored in a data storage. In an example embodiment of the computerprogram product, the computer-executable program code portions furthercomprise program code instructions configured to parse the tag blinkdata by data field.

In still another example embodiment, a computer program product isprovided including at least one non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein,the computer-executable program code portions comprising program codeinstructions configured to calculate a tag data filer parameter for aplurality of tag events based on the received tag blink data and taglocation data, wherein the tag data filter parameter comprises a blinkperiod, distance span, or velocity, calculate a participant locationdata adjustment factor based on the tag filter parameter, and calculatemultidimensional player location information per unit time based on theplurality of tag events and the participant location adjustment factor.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, thecomputer-executable program code portions further comprise program codeinstructions configured to determine tag blink data with compromisedaccuracy based on analyzing a tag blink data quality indicator; anddismissing the determine tag blink data with compromised accuracy fromfurther analysis. In some example embodiments of the computer programproduct determine tag blink data with compromised accuracy is based onat least one of data quality index, received signal strength index, realtime location system error rate, or tag error codes. In an exampleembodiment of the computer program product, determining tag blink datawith compromised accuracy further comprises comparing a tag blink dataquality or integrity value to a predetermined value, wherein in aninstance in which the data quality or integrity value satisfies thepredetermined threshold the tag blink data accuracy is determined to becompromised.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, calculating aparticipant location adjustment factor further comprises determining anadjustment for a missed blink. In some example embodiments of thecomputer program product, calculating a participant location adjustmentfactor further comprises determining an adjustment for pop blink. In anexample embodiment of the computer program product, calculating aparticipant location adjustment factor further comprises determining anadjustment for tag-tag offset.

In another example embodiment, a computer program product is providedincluding at least one computer readable non-transitory memory mediumhaving program code instructions stored thereon, the program codeinstructions which when executed by an apparatus cause the apparatus atleast to receive analytic or event data corresponding to at least oneparticipant characteristic, wherein the analytic or event data isassociated with a tag location associated with a participant, generateat least one display element associated with the analytic or event datacorresponding to the at least one participant characteristic at one ormore time intervals, and cause the at least one display element to bedisplayed in an interface, wherein the interface is configured to sizethe at least one data element within the user interface to enable thedisplay of a plurality of display elements in the display, the interfacebeing further configured to display location data for the participant inat least one display element.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, the programcode instructions are further configured to, when executed by theapparatus, cause the performance of an operation associated with thedisplay element that has been selected. In some example embodiments ofthe computer program product, the analytic or event data includes dataderived from a tag location over a defined time period.

In some example embodiments of the computer program product, the tag isconfigured to communicate using ultra-wide band signals. In an exampleembodiment of the computer program product, the interface is configuredto display at least one display element configured to display analyticdata in varying levels of detail. In an example embodiment of thecomputer program product, the interface is configured to display the atleast one display element configured to display analytic data in atleast one of an icon form, a graph form, a panel form, and a fullfunction display element form.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, the fullfunction display element form is displayed as a larger display elementthan the icon form, the graph form, and the panel form. In some exampleembodiments of the computer program product, the panel form is displayedas a larger display element than the graph form and the icon form. In anexample embodiment of the computer program product, the graph form isdisplayed as a larger display element than the icon form. In an exampleembodiment of the computer program product, the interface is furtherconfigured receive an input corresponding to a user input requesting atleast one display element to be change from any one of the display formsto another display form.

In an example embodiment a method is provided including receivinganalytic or event data corresponding to one or more participants in arelation to a monitored region at a first time, receiving analytic orevent data corresponding to the one or more participants in relation tothe monitored region at a second time, and generating a visualizationcorresponding to the one or more participants to include at least areference line indicative of a distance traveled by at least oneparticipant between the first time and the second time, wherein thefirst time and the second time occur during a defined event.

In an example embodiment of the method, the analytic or event dataincludes location data to a tag location. In some example embodiments ofthe method, the tag is configured to communicate using ultra-wide bandsignals.

In still further example embodiments, an apparatus is provided includingat least one processor and at least one memory including computerprogram code, the at least one memory and computer program codeconfigured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at leastreceive analytic or event data corresponding to one or more participantsin a relation to a monitored region at a first time, receive analytic orevent data corresponding to the one or more participants in relation tothe monitored region at a second time, and generate a visualizationcorresponding to the one or more participants to include at least areference line indicative of a distance traveled by at least oneparticipant between the first time and the second time, wherein thefirst time and the second time occur during a defined event.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the analytic or event dataincludes location data to a tag location. In some example embodiments ofthe apparatus, the tag is configured to communicate using ultra-wideband signals.

In yet a further embodiment, a computer program product is providedincluding at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumhaving computer-executable program code portions stored therein, thecomputer-executable program code portions comprising program codeinstructions configured to receive analytic or event data correspondingto one or more participants in a relation to a monitored region at afirst time, receive analytic or event data corresponding to the one ormore participants in relation to the monitored region at a second time,and generate a visualization corresponding to the one or moreparticipants to include at least a reference line indicative of adistance traveled by at least one participant between the first time andthe second time, wherein the first time and the second time occur duringa defined event.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, the analyticor event data includes location data to a tag location. In some exampleembodiments of the computer program product, the tag is configured tocommunicate using ultra-wide band signals.

In another example embodiment a method is provided including receivingan indication corresponding to a selection of at least one participant,receiving an indication corresponding to a selection of at least onecriteria of interest, generating a visualization corresponding to theselection of the at least one participant using the at least onecriteria of interest and analytic or event data corresponding to the atleast one participant, wherein the analytic or event data compriseslocation data associated with a location of the at least one participantat a given time, tracking the at least one participant and the at leastone criteria of interest over a defined time period, and modifying thevisualization corresponding to the at least one participant to includechanges corresponding to a location of the at least one participant andthe at least one criteria of interest over the defined time period.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, tracking theat least one participant over a defined time period comprises trackingthe location of the at least one tag corresponding to the at least oneparticipant. In some example embodiments of the computer programproduct, the tag is configured to communicate using ultra-wide bandsignals. In an example embodiment of the computer program product, thevisualization corresponding to the selection of the at least oneparticipant using the at least one criteria of interest is displayed onan interface, wherein the interface is configured to size thevisualization within the user interface, the interface being furtherconfigured to receive an input corresponding to a user input. In someexample embodiments of the computer program product, the interface isconfigured to display the visualization in varying levels of detail.

In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided including atleast one processor and at least one memory including computer programcode, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to,with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive anindication corresponding to a selection of at least one participant,receive an indication corresponding to a selection of at least onecriteria of interest, generate a visualization corresponding to theselection of the at least one participant using the at least onecriteria of interest and analytic or event data corresponding to the atleast one participant, wherein the analytic or event data compriseslocation data associated with a location of the at least one participantat a given time, track the at least one participant and the at least onecriteria of interest over a defined time period and modify thevisualization corresponding to the at least one participant to includechanges corresponding to a location of the at least one participant andthe at least one criteria of interest over the defined time period.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, tracking the at least oneparticipant over a defined time period comprises tracking the locationof the at least one tag corresponding to the at least one participant.In some example embodiments of the apparatus, the tag is configured tocommunicate using ultra-wide band signals. In an example embodiment ofthe apparatus, the visualization corresponding to the selection of theat least one participant using the at least one criteria of interest isdisplayed on an interface, wherein the interface is configured to sizethe visualization within the user interface, the interface being furtherconfigured to receive an input corresponding to a user input. In someexample embodiments of the apparatus, the interface is configured todisplay the visualization in varying levels of detail.

In a further embodiment, a computer program product is providedincluding at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumhaving computer-executable program code portions stored therein, thecomputer-executable program code portions comprising program codeinstructions configured to receive an indication corresponding to aselection of at least one participant, receive an indicationcorresponding to a selection of at least one criteria of interest,generate a visualization corresponding to the selection of the at leastone participant using the at least one criteria of interest and analyticor event data corresponding to the at least one participant, wherein theanalytic or event data comprises location data associated with alocation of the at least one participant at a given time, track the atleast one participant and the at least one criteria of interest over adefined time period, and modify the visualization corresponding to theat least one participant to include changes corresponding to a locationof the at least one participant and the at least one criteria ofinterest over the defined time period.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, tracking theat least one participant over a defined time period comprises trackingthe location of the at least one tag corresponding to the at least oneparticipant. In some example embodiments of the computer programproduct, the tag is configured to communicate using ultra-wide bandsignals. In an example embodiment of the computer program product, thevisualization corresponding to the selection of the at least oneparticipant using the at least one criteria of interest is displayed onan interface, wherein the interface is configured to size thevisualization within the user interface, the interface being furtherconfigured to receive an input corresponding to a user input. In someexample embodiments of the computer program product, the interface isconfigured to display the visualization in varying levels of detail.

In still further example embodiments, a method is provided includingreceiving an indication corresponding to a request to review one or morevisualizations comprising analytic or event data generated associatedwith one or more participants, receiving an indication corresponding toa selection of a level of detail to display the one or morevisualizations, wherein the level of detail defines a level of locationdata that is displayed in the one or more visualizations, the locationdata describing the location of the one or more participants at a giventime, and causing the one or more visualizations to be arranged on aninterface such that the visualizations cover a screen area.

In some example embodiments of the method, the analytic or event datacorresponds to at least one tag location. In an example embodiment ofthe method, the tag is configured to communicate using ultra-wide bandsignals. In some example embodiments of the method, the interface isconfigured to display one or more visualizations comprising analytic orevent data in at least one of an icon form, a graph form, a panel form,and a full function display element form based at least in part on theselection of a level of detail to display the one or morevisualizations. In an example embodiment of the method, the fullfunction display element form displays a greater level of detail thanthe icon form, the graph form, and the panel form.

In an example embodiment of the method, the panel form displays agreater level of detail than the icon form and the graph form. In someexample embodiments of the method, the graph form displays a greaterlevel of detail than the icon form.

In still another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided includingat least one processor and at least one memory including computerprogram code, the at least one memory and computer program codeconfigured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at leastreceive an indication corresponding to a request to review one or morevisualizations comprising analytic or event data generated associatedwith one or more participants, receive an indication corresponding to aselection of a level of detail to display the one or morevisualizations, wherein the level of detail defines a level of locationdata that is displayed in the one or more visualizations, the locationdata describing the location of the one or more participants at a giventime, and cause the one or more visualizations to be arranged on aninterface such that the visualizations cover a screen area.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, analytic or event datacorresponds to at least one tag location. In some example embodiments ofthe apparatus, the tag is configured to communicate using ultra-wideband signals. In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the interfaceis configured to display one or more visualizations comprising analyticor event data in at least one of an icon form, a graph form, a panelform, and a full function display element form based at least in part onthe selection of a level of detail to display the one or morevisualizations. In some example embodiments of the apparatus, the fullfunction display element form displays a greater level of detail thanthe icon form, the graph form, and the panel form.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the panel form displays agreater level of detail than the icon form and the graph form. In someexample embodiments of the apparatus, the graph form displays a greaterlevel of detail than the icon form.

In yet another example embodiment, a computer program is providedincluding at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumhaving computer-executable program code portions stored therein, thecomputer-executable program code portions comprising program codeinstructions configured to receive an indication corresponding to arequest to review one or more visualizations comprising analytic orevent data generated associated with one or more participants, receivean indication corresponding to a selection of a level of detail todisplay the one or more visualizations, wherein the level of detaildefines a level of location data that is displayed in the one or morevisualizations, the location data describing the location of the one ormore participants at a given time, and cause the one or morevisualizations to be arranged on an interface such that thevisualizations cover a screen area.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, the analyticor event data corresponds to at least one tag location. In some exampleembodiments of the computer program product, the tag is configured tocommunicate using ultra-wide band signals. In an example embodiment ofthe computer program product, the interface is configured to display oneor more visualizations comprising analytic or event data in at least oneof an icon form, a graph form, a panel form, and a full function displayelement form based at least in part on the selection of a level ofdetail to display the one or more visualizations. In some exampleembodiments of the computer program product, the full function displayelement form displays a greater level of detail than the icon form, thegraph form, and the panel form.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, the panel formdisplays a greater level of detail than the icon form and the graphform. In some example embodiments of the computer program product, thegraph form displays a greater level of detail than the icon form.

In yet a further example embodiment, a method is provided includingreceiving an indication to review one or more visualizations comprisinganalytics generated based on analytic of event data corresponding to oneor more participants, causing the one or more visualizations to bedisplayed on an interface, wherein at least one of the one or morevisualizations comprise location data, the location data describing thelocation of the one or more participants at a given time, receiving anindication corresponding to a configuration selection of the one or morevisualizations on the interface, and causing the one or morevisualizations to be arranged on an interface corresponding to theindication corresponding to the configuration selection.

In an example embodiment of the method, the analytic or event datacorrespond to at least one tag location. In some example embodiments ofthe method, the tag is configured to communicate using ultra-wide bandsignals. In an example embodiment of the method, the one or morevisualizations displayed on the interface comprise analytics in varyinglevels of detail. In some example embodiments of the method, theinterface is configured to display the one or more visualizations in atleast one of an icon form, a graph form, a panel form, and a fullfunction display form.

In an example embodiment of the method, the full function display formcomprises analytics in a greater level of detail than the panel form,the graph form, and the icon form. In some example embodiments of themethod, the panel form comprises analytics in a greater level of detailthan the graph form and the icon form. In an example embodiment of themethod, the graph form comprises analytics in a greater level of detailthan the icon form.

In an additional example embodiment, an apparatus is provided includingat least one processor and at least one memory including computerprogram code, the at least one memory and computer program codeconfigured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at leastreceive an indication to review one or more visualizations comprisinganalytics generated based on analytic of event data corresponding to oneor more participants, cause the one or more visualizations to bedisplayed on an interface, wherein at least one of the one or morevisualizations comprise location data, the location data describing thelocation of the one or more participants at a given time, receive anindication corresponding to a configuration selection of the one or morevisualizations on the interface, and cause the one or morevisualizations to be arranged on an interface corresponding to theindication corresponding to the configuration selection.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the analytic or event datacorrespond to at least one tag location. In some example embodiments ofthe apparatus, the tag is configured to communicate using ultra-wideband signals. In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the one or morevisualizations displayed on the interface comprise analytics in varyinglevels of detail. In some example embodiments of the apparatus, theinterface is configured to display the one or more visualizations in atleast one of an icon form, a graph form, a panel form, and a fullfunction display form.

In an example embodiment of the apparatus, the full function displayform comprises analytics in a greater level of detail than the panelform, the graph form, and the icon form. In some example embodiments ofthe apparatus, the panel form comprises analytics in a greater level ofdetail than the graph form and the icon form. In an example embodimentof the apparatus, the graph form comprises analytics in a greater levelof detail than the icon form.

In yet another additional embodiment, a computer program product isprovided including at least one non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein,the computer-executable program code portions comprising program codeinstructions configured to receive an indication to review one or morevisualizations comprising analytics generated based on analytic of eventdata corresponding to one or more participants, cause the one or morevisualizations to be displayed on an interface, wherein at least one ofthe one or more visualizations comprise location data, the location datadescribing the location of the one or more participants at a given time,receive an indication corresponding to a configuration selection of theone or more visualizations on the interface, and causing the one or morevisualizations to be arranged on an interface corresponding to theindication corresponding to the configuration selection.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, the analyticor event data correspond to at least one tag location. In some exampleembodiments of the computer program product, the tag is configured tocommunicate using ultra-wide band signals. In an example embodiment ofthe computer program product, the one or more visualizations displayedon the interface comprise analytics in varying levels of detail. In someexample embodiments of the computer program product, the interface isconfigured to display the one or more visualizations in at least one ofan icon form, a graph form, a panel form, and a full function displayform.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, the fullfunction display form comprises analytics in a greater level of detailthan the panel form, the graph form, and the icon form. In some exampleembodiments of the computer program product, the panel form comprisesanalytics in a greater level of detail than the graph form and the iconform. In an example embodiment of the computer program product, thegraph form comprises analytics in a greater level of detail than theicon form.

In an example embodiment, a method is provided including receiving aplurality of multidimensional player location data per unit timecomprising participant locations at calculated times, generatingsynchronized participant coordinate data by synchronizing the pluralityof multidimensional player location per unit time based on timestampsassociated with tag location data and outputting the synchronizedparticipant coordinate data for visualization rendering.

In an example embodiment, the method also includes generating a fieldevent rendering based on the synchronized participant coordinate data.In some example embodiments, the method also includes receiving cameradata form one or more cameras and synchronizing the camera data with thesynchronized participant coordinate data, wherein the visualization is avideo rendering comprising the synchronized participant coordinate dataand the camera data.

In an example embodiment, the method also includes rendering thevisualization at a 30 Hertz refresh rate for television broadcast. Insome example embodiments, this method also includes delaying therendering the visualization by 2 seconds. In an example embodiment, themethod also includes rendering the visualization at 10 Hertz or lessrefresh rate for digital media rendering. In some example embodiments,this method also includes delaying the rendering the visualization by 2seconds.

In a further example embodiment, an apparatus is provided including atleast one processor and at least one memory including computer programcode, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to,with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive a pluralityof multidimensional player location data per unit time comprisingparticipant locations at calculated times, generate synchronizedparticipant coordinate data by synchronizing the plurality ofmultidimensional player location per unit time based on timestampsassociated with tag location data, and output the synchronizedparticipant coordinate data for visualization rendering.

In an example embodiment, the at least one memory and the computerprogram code, of the apparatus, are further configured to generate afield event rendering based on the synchronized participant coordinatedata. In some example embodiments of the apparatus, the at least onememory and the computer program code are further configured to receivecamera data form one or more cameras and synchronize the camera datawith the synchronized participant coordinate data, wherein thevisualization is a video rendering comprising the synchronizedparticipant coordinate data and the camera data.

In some example embodiments of the apparatus, the at least one memoryand the computer program code are further configured to render thevisualization at a 30 Hertz refresh rate for television broadcast. In anexample embodiment of this apparatus, the at least one memory and thecomputer program code are further configured to delay the rendering thevisualization by 2 seconds. In an example embodiment of the apparatus,the at least one memory and the computer program code are furtherconfigured to render the visualization at 10 Hertz or less refresh ratefor digital media rendering. In an example embodiment of this apparatus,the at least one memory and the computer program code are furtherconfigured to delay the rendering the visualization by 2 seconds.

In yet another example embodiment, a computer program product isprovided including at least one non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein,the computer-executable program code portions comprising program codeinstructions configured to receive a plurality of multidimensionalplayer location data per unit time comprising participant locations atcalculated times, generate synchronized participant coordinate data bysynchronizing the plurality of multidimensional player location per unittime based on timestamps associated with tag location data, and outputthe synchronized participant coordinate data for visualizationrendering.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, thecomputer-executable program code portions further comprise program codeinstructions configured to generate a field event rendering based on thesynchronized participant coordinate data. In some example embodiments ofthe computer program product, the computer-executable program codeportions further comprise program code instructions configured toreceive camera data form one or more cameras and synchronize the cameradata with the synchronized participant coordinate data, wherein thevisualization is a video rendering comprising the synchronizedparticipant coordinate data and the camera data.

In an example embodiment of the computer program product, thecomputer-executable program code portions further comprise program codeinstructions configured to render the visualization at a 30 Hertzrefresh rate for television broadcast. In an example embodiment of thiscomputer program product, the computer-executable program code portionsfurther comprise program code instructions configured to delay therendering the visualization by 2 seconds. In some example embodiments ofthe computer program product, the computer-executable program codeportions further comprise program code instructions configured to renderthe visualization at 10 Hertz or less refresh rate for digital mediarendering. In an example embodiment of this computer program product,the computer-executable program code portions further comprise programcode instructions configured to delay the rendering the visualization by2 seconds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a radio frequencylocating system useful for determining the location of an objectaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-C illustrate some exemplary participants carrying tags andsensors that may provide information to a performance analytics systemin accordance with some example embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A-3E are block diagrams showing the input and output of receiversand sensor receivers in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary system for providing performanceanalytics in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary system diagram for collecting sportingevent data according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6 and 15 illustrate an example of tag attachment to playerparticipant equipment according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart for an exemplary process of registeringlocation tags to a participant according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of labeling and storage forlocation tags according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate exemplary embodiments of a tag manager displayaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary process for creating anevent registration file according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 12-14, 16 illustrate exemplary embodiments of a tag managerdisplay according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary process forinitialization of a system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an initialization displayaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a configuration displayaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary process of receiver huboperations according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an equipment statusdisplay according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 illustrates a player equipment status display according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a player tag statushistory display according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an equipment statusdisplay according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 25A and 25B illustrate a flowchart of an exemplary processdeliverying packet data to a Graphical User Interface (“GUI”) subsystemsaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 illustrates a block diagram of components that may be includedin an apparatus that may determine play events according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 illustrates an example field event rendering of multidimensionalplayer location data per unit time for an event according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate flowcharts for an exemplary processes of dataflow through a filter and analytics engine according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 30 illustrates an exemplary output of a filter and analytics enginewith various jitter filtering applied according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 31 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary process forsynchronization of participant location at calculated times according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 illustrates an exemplary embodiment for setting receiver hub andvideo camera coordinates according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 33-37 illustrate exemplary embodiments of field event renderingsaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 38 illustrates a exemplary receiver distribution system diagram forcollecting sporting event data according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 39 illustrates an exemplary system for providing performanceanalytics according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 40 illustrates a schematic representation of example objecttracking over time in the form of a visualization in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 41 illustrates a flowchart detailing operations performed by asystem configured to provide analytic data according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 42 illustrates a flowchart detailing operations performed by asystem configured to generate visualizations corresponding to an objectaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 43 illustrates a flowchart detailing operations performed by asystem configured to generate visualizations corresponding to an objectaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 44 illustrates an interface configured to display analytic dataprovided by a system according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 45 illustrates a flowchart detailing operations performed by asystem configured to modify visualizations corresponding to an objectaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 46 illustrates an interface configured to display analytic dataprovided by a system according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 47 illustrates an interface configured to display events andconfigured to receive an indication corresponding to a selection of anevent so as to display analytic data provided by a system thatcorresponds to the event according to an example embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 48 illustrates an interface configured to display analytic dataprovided by a system according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 49 illustrates an interface configured to display analytic dataprovided by a system according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 50 illustrates a flowchart detailing operations performed by asystem configured to configure the display of visualizations accordingto one example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 51 illustrates various display elements configured to displayanalytic data provided by a system according to an example embodiments;and

FIG. 52 illustrates an interface configured to display analytic dataprovided by a system according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, the invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Overview

Existing performance analytics of sporting events have drawbacks inproviding accurate data about events and participant actions that occurduring a game. Game day data is often manually collected by individualsdocumenting participant actions and play participation during a game.Performance review of a game often requires individuals to manuallyreview game recordings over a number of hours after a game to compileplayer actions and events during play. This performance review is alsooften limited to statistics and data that can be identified or capturedby the individuals watching or reviewing a game or game film. Inaddition, such review and any analytics data flowing therefrom isprovided freely on a non-exclusive basis as anyone with access to gamefilm can compile similar analytics data.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods, systems,apparatuses, and computer readable storage media for providing real-timecollection of data and analysis of participant performance and playstatistics during a game such as by using radio frequency locatingsystems and radio frequency identification (“RFID”).

Embodiments of the present invention may provide for automaticrecognition of formations, plays, and events through the processing ofreal time data (or near real time data) regarding location, change inlocation, velocity, change in acceleration, orientation, or the like,for participants based on an analysis of relevant models and data asdescribed in detail below. The term “participant” as used herein refersto players, officials, game related objects such as the ball, penaltymarkers, line of scrimmage and yard to gain markers, and any othermovable object proximate a field of play.

In embodiments in which participants are players, a group or pluralityof participants may be grouped into squads (e.g., offense, defense,kickoff, punt, kick return, punt return, field goal, infield, outfield,bullpen, etc.) and/or teams (e.g., football team, baseball team, swimteam, etc.). Participants on the same team are called teammates;participants on different teams are called adversaries.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide for automated datacollection with reduced errors, as well as providing additionalstatistics that may not be available with current systems. Additionally,embodiments may provide for rapid (i.e., near instantaneous) productionof game review documentation (e.g., playbooks). Embodiments of thepresent invention may also provide additional and exclusive data andanalysis that may be securely licensed without concern that similaranalytics may be readily reproduced without a system configured as setforth below.

Embodiments of the present invention may allow for the simultaneoustracking of a plurality of participants and may provide for indicationsof player statistics and/or potential play events in real time (or nearreal time). Such indications may be output to a variety of systemsincluding, without limitation, a visualization system (e.g., an enhancedtelevision broadcast system or computer graphics visualization system),a game operations system, a camera control system, a team analyticssystem, a league analytics system, and a statistics system.

Embodiments of the present invention may allow for compilation oflocation tag data correlated to participants, e.g. tag registrationdata. The tag registration data may be updated for tag attachment,activation, deactivation, damage, or the like. Further tag registrationdata may be generated prior to or during events. The tag registrationdata may allow for the location system to monitor specified tags andcorrelate location data to specific individuals and/or objects.

In some embodiments, tag registration data may be updated prior to,during, and after events at the location system or one or more mobileunits that may be in data communication with the location system. Thetag registration data updates associated with mobile units may besynchronized with the location system, allowing for replacement ofdamaged tags during an event, efficient activation of tags prior toevents and deactivation after events.

Embodiments of the present invention may allow for an initializationprocess to determine system configuration and errors prior to and duringuse of the location system.

Embodiments of the present invention may allow for dismissal of locationdata received from location tags in an instance in which the receiveddata is determined to be inaccurate. Additionally, the location systemmay adjust location calculations based on missed tag location data,location pop, jitter, location tag-to-location tag offsets, or the like.

Embodiments of the present invention may allow for calculation of aparticipant location over time. The participant location over time maybe synchronized with other participant location data and output as avisualization of a monitored activity, for example a play in Americanfootball.

Embodiments of the present invention may allow for calculation ofstatistical data and analytic data based on location data associatedwith participants and other various sensors. The analytic data and/orstatistical data may also be output a visualization of the monitoredactivity. In some embodiments the participant location over time andanalytical/statistical data may be output in a combined visualization.

Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the appendedfigures and description below in relation to the sport of Americanfootball. However, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart in view of this disclosure, the inventive concepts herein describedare not limited to football and may be applied to various otherapplications including, without limitation, other sports or group eventssuch as baseball, basketball, golf, hockey, soccer, racing ormotorsports, competitive events, and the like.

Example RF Locating System Architecture

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary locating system 100 useful forcalculating a location by an accumulation of location data or time ofarrivals (TOAs) at a central processor/Hub 108, whereby the TOAsrepresent a relative time of flight (TOF) from RTLS tags 102 as recordedat each receiver 106 (e.g., UWB reader, etc.). A timing reference clockis used, in some examples, such that at least a subset of the receivers106 may be synchronized in frequency, whereby the relative TOA dataassociated with each of the RTLS tags 102 may be registered by a counterassociated with at least a subset of the receivers 106. In someexamples, a reference tag 104, preferably a UWB transmitter, positionedat known coordinates, for example the junction of the vertical supportand cross bar of the goal posts in American football, is used todetermine a phase offset between the counters associated with at least asubset of the of the receivers 106. The RTLS tags 102 and the referencetags 104 reside in an active RTLS field. The systems described hereinmay be referred to as either “multilateration” or “geolocation” systems,terms that refer to the process of locating a signal source by solvingan error minimization function of a location estimate determined by thedifference in time of arrival (DTOA) between TOA signals received atmultiple receivers 106.

In some examples, the system comprising at least the tags 102 and thereceivers 106 is configured to provide two dimensional and/or threedimensional precision localization (e.g., subfoot resolutions), even inthe presence of multipath interference, due in part to the use of shortnanosecond duration pulses whose TOF can be accurately determined usingdetection circuitry, such as in the receivers 106, which can trigger onthe leading edge of a received waveform. In some examples, this shortpulse characteristic allows necessary data to be conveyed by the systemat a higher peak power, but lower average power levels, than a wirelesssystem configured for high data rate communications, yet still operatewithin local regulatory requirements.

In some examples, to provide a preferred performance level whilecomplying with the overlap of regulatory restrictions (e.g. FCC and ETSIregulations), the tags 102 may operate with an instantaneous −3 dBbandwidth of approximately 400 MHz and an average transmission below 187pulses in a 1 msec interval, provided that the packet rate issufficiently low. In such examples, the predicted maximum range of thesystem, operating with a center frequency of 6.55 GHz, is roughly 200meters in instances in which a 12 dBi directional antenna is used at thereceiver, but the projected range will depend, in other examples, uponreceiver antenna gain. Alternatively or additionally, the range of thesystem allows for one or more tags 102 to be detected with one or morereceivers positioned throughout a football stadium used in aprofessional football context. Such a configuration advantageouslysatisfies constraints applied by regulatory bodies related to peak andaverage power densities (e.g., effective isotropic radiated powerdensity (“EIRP”)), while still optimizing system performance related torange and interference. In further examples, tag transmissions with a −3dB bandwidth of approximately 400 MHz yields, in some examples, aninstantaneous pulse width of roughly 2 nanoseconds that enables alocation resolution to better than 30 centimeters.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the object to be located has an attached tag102, preferably a tag having a UWB transmitter, that transmits a burst(e.g., multiple pulses at a 1 Mb/s burst rate, such as 112 bits ofOn-Off keying (OOK) at a rate of 1 Mb/s), and optionally, a burstcomprising an information packet utilizing OOK that may include, but isnot limited to, ID information, a sequential burst count or otherdesired information for object or personnel identification, inventorycontrol, etc. In some examples, the sequential burst count (e.g., apacket sequence number) from each tag 102 may be advantageously providedin order to permit, at a Central Processor/Hub 108, correlation of TOAmeasurement data from various receivers 106.

In some examples, the tag 102 may employ UWB waveforms (e.g., low datarate waveforms) to achieve extremely fine resolution because of theirextremely short pulse (i.e., sub-nanosecond to nanosecond, such as a 2nsec (1 nsec up and 1 nsec down)) durations. As such, the informationpacket may be of a short length (e.g. 112 bits of OOK at a rate of 1Mb/sec, in some example embodiments), that advantageously enables ahigher packet rate. In an instance in which each information packet isunique, a higher packet rate results in a higher data rate; in aninstance in which each information packet is transmitted repeatedly, thehigher packet rate results in a higher packet repetition rate. In someexamples, higher packet repetition rate (e.g., 12 Hz) and/or higher datarates (e.g., 1 Mb/sec, 2 Mb/sec or the like) for each tag may result inlarger datasets for filtering to achieve a more accurate locationestimate. Alternatively or additionally, in some examples, the shorterlength of the information packets, in conjunction with other packetrate, data rates and other system requirements, may also result in alonger battery life (e.g., 7 years battery life at a transmission rateof 1 Hz with a 300 mAh cell, in some present embodiments).

Tag signals may be received at a receiver directly from RTLS tags, ormay be received after being reflected en route. Reflected signals travela longer path from the RTLS tag to the receiver than would a directsignal, and are thus received later than the corresponding directsignal. This delay is known as an echo delay or multipath delay. In aninstance in which reflected signals are sufficiently strong enough to bedetected by the receiver, they can corrupt a data transmission throughinter-symbol interference. In some examples, the tag 102 may employ UWBwaveforms to achieve extremely fine resolution because of theirextremely short pulse (e.g., 2 nsec) durations. Furthermore, signals maycomprise short information packets (e.g., 112 bits of OOK) at a somewhathigh burst data rate (1 Mb/sec, in some example embodiments), thatadvantageously enable packet durations to be brief (e.g. 112 microsec)while allowing inter-pulse times (e.g., 998 nsec) sufficiently longerthan expected echo delays, avoiding data corruption.

Reflected signals can be expected to become weaker as delay increasesdue to more reflections and the longer distances traveled. Thus, beyondsome value of inter-pulse time (e.g., 998 nsec), corresponding to somepath length difference (e.g., 299.4 m.), there will be no advantage tofurther increases in inter-pulse time (and, hence lowering of burst datarate) for any given level of transmit power. In this manner,minimization of packet duration allows the battery life of a tag to bemaximized, since its digital circuitry need only be active for a brieftime. It will be understood that different environments can havedifferent expected echo delays, so that different burst data rates and,hence, packet durations, may be appropriate in different situationsdepending on the environment.

Minimization of the packet duration also allows a tag to transmit morepackets in a given time period, although in practice, regulatory averageEIRP limits may often provide an overriding constraint. However, briefpacket duration also reduces the likelihood of packets from multipletags overlapping in time, causing a data collision. Thus, minimal packetduration allows multiple tags to transmit a higher aggregate number ofpackets per second, allowing for the largest number of tags to betracked, or a given number of tags to be tracked at the highest rate.

In one non-limiting example, a data packet length of 112 bits (e.g., OOKencoded), transmitted at a data rate of 1 Mb/sec (1 MHz), may beimplemented with a transmit tag repetition rate of 1 transmission persecond (1 TX/sec). Such an implementation may accommodate a battery lifeof up to seven years, wherein the battery itself may be, for example, acompact, 3-volt coin cell of the series no. BR2335 (Rayovac), with abattery charge rating of 300 mAhr. An alternate implementation may be ageneric compact, 3-volt coin cell, series no. CR2032, with a batterycharge rating of 220 mAhr, whereby the latter generic coin cell, as canbe appreciated, may provide for a shorter battery life.

Alternatively or additionally, some applications may require highertransmit tag repetition rates to track a dynamic environment. In someexamples, the transmit tag repetition rate may be 12 transmissions persecond (12 TX/sec). In such applications, it can be further appreciatedthat the battery life may be shorter.

The high burst data transmission rate (e.g., 1 MHz), coupled with theshort data packet length (e.g., 112 bits) and the relatively lowrepetition rates (e.g., 1 TX/sec), provide for two distinct advantagesin some examples: (1) a greater number of tags may transmitindependently from the field of tags with a lower collision probability,and/or (2) each independent tag transmit power may be increased, withproper consideration given to a battery life constraint, such that atotal energy for a single data packet is less than a regulated averagepower for a given time interval (e.g., a 1 msec time interval for an FCCregulated transmission).

Alternatively or additionally, additional sensor or telemetry data maybe transmitted from the tag to provide the receivers 106 withinformation about the environment and/or operating conditions of thetag. For example, the tag may transmit a temperature to the receivers106. Such information may be valuable, for example, in a systeminvolving perishable goods or other refrigerant requirements. In thisexample embodiment, the temperature may be transmitted by the tag at alower repetition rate than that of the rest of the data packet. Forexample, the temperature may be transmitted from the tag to thereceivers at a rate of one time per minute (e.g., 1 TX/min.), or in someexamples, once every 720 times the data packet is transmitted, wherebythe data packet in this example is transmitted at an example rate of 12TX/sec.

Alternatively or additionally, the tag 102 may be programmed tointermittently transmit data to the receivers 106 in response to asignal from a magnetic command transmitter (not shown). The magneticcommand transmitter may be a portable device, functioning to transmit a125 kHz signal, in some example embodiments, with a range ofapproximately 15 feet or less, to one or more of the tags 102. In someexamples, the tags 102 may be equipped with at least a receiver tuned tothe magnetic command transmitter transmit frequency (e.g., 125 kHz) andfunctional antenna to facilitate reception and decoding of the signaltransmitted by the magnetic command transmitter.

In some examples, one or more other tags, such as a reference tag 104,may be positioned within and/or about a monitored region. In someexamples, the reference tag 104 may be configured to transmit a signalthat is used to measure the relative phase (e.g., the count offree-running counters) of non-resettable counters within the receivers106.

One or more (e.g., preferably four or more) receivers 106 are alsopositioned at predetermined coordinates within and/or around themonitored region. In some examples, the receivers 106 may be connectedin a “daisy chain” fashion to advantageously allow for a large number ofreceivers 106 to be interconnected over a significant monitored regionin order to reduce and simplify cabling, provide power, and/or the like.Each of the receivers 106 includes a receiver for receivingtransmissions, such as UWB transmissions, and preferably, a packetdecoding circuit that extracts a time of arrival (TOA) timing pulsetrain, transmitter ID, packet number, and/or other information that mayhave been encoded in the tag transmission signal (e.g., materialdescription, personnel information, etc.) and is configured to sensesignals transmitted by the tags 102 and one or more reference tags 104.

Each receiver 106 includes a time measuring circuit that measures timesof arrival (TOA) of tag bursts, with respect to its internal counter.The time measuring circuit is phase-locked (e.g., phase differences donot change and therefore respective frequencies are identical) with acommon digital reference clock signal distributed via cable connectionfrom a Central Processor/Hub 108 having a central timing reference clockgenerator. The reference clock signal establishes a common timingreference for the receivers 106. Thus, multiple time measuring circuitsof the respective receivers 106 are synchronized in frequency, but notnecessarily in phase. While there typically may be a phase offsetbetween any given pair of receivers in the receivers 106, the phaseoffset is readily determined through use of a reference tag 104, e.g. areference phase offset. Alternatively or additionally, each receiver maybe synchronized wirelessly via virtual synchronization without adedicated physical timing channel.

In some example embodiments, the receivers 106 are configured todetermine various attributes of the received signal. Since measurementsare determined at each receiver 106, in a digital format, rather thananalog in some examples, signals are transmittable to the CentralProcessor/Hub 108. Advantageously, because packet data and measurementresults can be transferred at high speeds to a receiver memory, thereceivers 106 can receive and process tag (and corresponding object)locating signals on a nearly continuous basis. As such, in someexamples, the receiver memory allows for a high burst rate of tag events(i.e., information packets) to be captured.

Data cables or wireless transmissions may convey measurement data fromthe receivers 106 to the Central Processor/Hub 108 (e.g., the datacables may enable a transfer speed of 2 Mbps). In some examples,measurement data is transferred to the Central Processor/Hub at regularpolling intervals.

As such, the Central Processor/Hub 108 determines or otherwise computestag location (i.e., object location) by processing TOA measurementsrelative to multiple data packets detected by the receivers 106. In someexample embodiments, the Central Processor/Hub 108 may be configured toresolve the coordinates of a tag using nonlinear optimizationtechniques.

In some examples, TOA measurements from multiple receivers 106 areprocessed by the Central Processor/Hub 108 to determine a location ofthe transmit tag 102 by a differential time-of-arrival (DTOA) analysisof the multiple TOAs. The DTOA analysis includes a determination of tagtransmit time t₀, whereby a time-of-flight (TOF), measured as the timeelapsed from the estimated tag transmit time t₀ to the respective TOA,represents graphically the radii of spheres centered at respectivereceivers 106. The distance between the surfaces of the respectivespheres to the estimated location coordinates (x₀, y₀, z₀) of thetransmit tag 102 represents the measurement error for each respectiveTOA, and the minimization of the sum of the squares of the TOAmeasurement errors from each receiver participating in the DTOA locationestimate provides for both the location coordinates (x₀, y₀, z₀) of thetransmit tag and of that tag's transmit time t₀.

In some examples, the system described herein may be referred to as an“over-specified” or “over-determined” system. As such, the CentralProcessor/Hub 108 may calculate one or more valid (i.e., most correct)locations based on a set of measurements and/or one or more incorrect(i.e., less correct) locations. For example, a location may becalculated that is impossible due the laws of physics or may be anoutlier when compared to other calculated locations. As such one or morealgorithms or heuristics may be applied to minimize such error.

The starting point for the minimization may be obtained by first doingan area search on a coarse grid of x, y and z over an area defined bythe user and followed by a localized steepest descent search. Thestarting location for this algorithm is fixed, in some examples, at themean position of all active receivers. No initial area search is needed,and optimization proceeds through the use of a Davidon-Fletcher-Powell(DFP) quasi-Newton algorithm in some examples. In other examples, asteepest descent algorithm may be used.

One such algorithm for error minimization, which may be referred to as atime error minimization algorithm, may be described in Equation 1:

$\begin{matrix}{ɛ = {\sum\limits_{j = 1}^{N}\left\lbrack {\left\lbrack {\left( {x - x_{j}} \right)^{2} + \left( {y - y_{j}} \right)^{2} + \left( {z - z_{j}} \right)^{2}} \right\rbrack^{\frac{1}{2}} - {c\left( {t_{j} - t_{0}} \right)}} \right\rbrack^{2}}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

In an instance in which N is the number of receivers, c is the speed oflight, (x_(j), y_(j), z_(j)) are the coordinates of the j^(th) receiver,t_(j) is the arrival time at the j^(th) receiver, and t₀ is the tagtransmit time. The variable t₀ represents the time of transmission.Since t₀ is not initially known, the arrival times, t_(j), as well ast₀, are related to a common time base, which in some examples, isderived from the arrival times. As a result, differences between thevarious arrival times have significance for determining location as wellas t₀.

The optimization algorithm to minimize the error ε in Equation 1 may bethe Davidon-Fletcher-Powell (DFP) quasi-Newton algorithm, for example.In some examples, the optimization algorithm to minimize the error ε inEquation 1 may be a steepest descent algorithm. In each case, thealgorithms may be seeded with an initial location estimate (x, y, z)that represents the two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) meanof the positions of the receivers 106 that participate in the taglocation determination.

In some examples, the RTLS system comprises a receiver grid, wherebyeach of the receivers 106 in the receiver grid keeps a receiver clockthat is synchronized, with an initially unknown phase offset, to theother receiver clocks. The phase offset between any receivers may bedetermined by use of a reference tag that is positioned at a knowncoordinate position (x_(T), y_(T), z_(T)). The phase offset serves toresolve the constant offset between counters within the variousreceivers 106, as described below.

In further example embodiments, a number N of receivers 106 {R_(j): j=1,. . . , N} are positioned at known coordinates (x_(R) _(j) , y_(R) _(j), z_(R) _(j) ), which are respectively positioned at distances d_(R)_(j) from a reference tag 104, such as given in Equation 2:d _(R) _(j) =√{square root over ((x _(R) _(j) −x _(T))²+(y _(R) _(j) −y_(T))²+(z _(R) _(j) −z _(T))²)}  (2)

Each receiver R_(j) utilizes, for example, a synchronous clock signalderived from a common frequency time base, such as a clock generator.Because the receivers are not synchronously reset, an unknown, butconstant offset O_(j) exists for each receiver's internal free runningcounter. The value of the constant offset O_(j) is measured in terms ofthe number of fine resolution count increments (e.g., a number ofnanoseconds for a one nanosecond resolution system).

The reference tag is used, in some examples, to calibrate the radiofrequency locating system as follows: The reference tag emits a signalburst at an unknown time τ_(R). Upon receiving the signal burst from thereference tag, a count N_(R) _(j) as measured at receiver R_(j) is givenin Equation 3 by:N _(R) _(j) =βτ_(R) +O _(j) +βd _(R) _(j) /c  (3)

In an instance in which c is the speed of light and β is the number offine resolution count increments per unit time (e.g., one pernanosecond). Similarly, each object tag T_(i) of each object to belocated transmits a signal at an unknown time τ_(i) to produce a countN_(i) _(j) , as given in Equation 4:N _(i) _(j) =βτ_(i) +O _(j) +βd _(i) _(j) /c  (4)

at receiver R_(j) in an instance in which d_(i) _(j) is the distancebetween the object tag T_(i) and the receiver 106 R_(j). Note that τ_(i)is unknown, but has the same constant value for all receivers. Based onthe equalities expressed above for receivers R_(j) and R_(k) and giventhe reference tag 104 information, phase offsets expressed asdifferential count values are determined as given in Equations 5a-b:

$\begin{matrix}{{{N_{R_{j}} - N_{R_{k}}} = {\left( {O_{j} - O_{k}} \right) + {\beta\left( {\frac{d_{R_{j}}}{c} - \frac{d_{R_{k}}}{c}} \right)}}}{{Or},}} & \left( {5a} \right) \\{\left( {O_{j} - O_{k}} \right) = {{\left( {N_{R_{j}} - N_{R_{k}}} \right) - {\beta\left( {\frac{d_{R_{j}}}{c} - \frac{d_{R_{k}}}{c}} \right)}} = \Delta_{j_{k}}}} & \left( {5b} \right)\end{matrix}$

In an instance in which Δ_(jk) is constant as long as d_(R) _(j) −d_(Rk)remains constant, (which means the receivers and reference tag are fixedand there is no multipath situation) and β is the same for eachreceiver. Note that Δ_(j) _(k) is a known quantity, since N_(R) _(j) ,N_(R) _(k) , β, d_(R) _(j) /c, and d_(R) _(k) /c are known. That is, thephase offsets between receivers R_(j) and R_(k) may be readilydetermined based on the reference tag 104 transmissions. Thus, againfrom the above equations, for a tag 102 (T_(i)) transmission arriving atreceivers R_(j) and R_(k), one may deduce the following Equations 6a-b:

$\begin{matrix}{{{N_{i_{j}} - N_{i_{k}}} = {{\left( {O_{j} - O_{k}} \right) + {\beta\left( {\frac{d_{i_{j}}}{c} - \frac{d_{i_{k}}}{c}} \right)}} = {\Delta_{j_{k}} + {\beta\left( {\frac{d_{i_{j}}}{c} - \frac{d_{i_{k}}}{c}} \right)}}}}{{Or},}} & \left( {6a} \right) \\{{d_{i_{j}} - d_{i_{k}}} = {\left( {c/\beta} \right)\left\lbrack {N_{i_{j}} - N_{i_{k}} - \Delta_{j_{k}}} \right\rbrack}} & \left( {6b} \right)\end{matrix}$

Each arrival time, t_(j), can be referenced to a particular receiver(receiver “1”) as given in Equation 7:

$\begin{matrix}{t_{j} = {\frac{1}{\beta}\left( {N_{j} - \Delta_{j\; 1}} \right)}} & (7)\end{matrix}$

The minimization, described in Equation 1, may then be performed overvariables (x, y, z, t₀) to reach a solution (x′, y′, z′, t₀′).

In some example embodiments, the location of a tag 102 may then beoutput to a receiver processing and distribution system 110 for furtherprocessing of the location data to advantageously providevisualizations, predictive analytics, statistics and/or the like.

The exemplary radio frequency locating system of FIG. 1 may be used inproviding performance analytics in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention. In the environment of FIG. 1, data may becaptured and analyzed, such as during a sporting event to identifyevents, statistics, and other data useful to a sports team, league,viewer, licensee, or the like. In some embodiments, data associated witha number of objects or participants (e.g., players, officials, balls,game equipment, etc.) on a playing field, such as monitored area 100,may be generated and provided to a performance analytics system. Assuch, as further discussed in connection with FIGS. 2A-C below, eachobject may have one or more attached tags 102 (such as to equipment wornby a player) to be used to track data such as location, change oflocation, speed, or the like of each object. In some embodiments,additional sensors, such as, without limitation, accelerometers,magnetometers, time-of-flight sensors, health sensors, temperaturesensors, moisture sensors, light sensors, or the like, may be attachedto each object to provide further data to the performance analyticssystem. Such additional sensors may provide data to the tag 102, eitherthrough a wired or wireless connection, to be transmitted to thereceivers 106 or the sensors may be configured to transmit data toreceivers (i.e., sensor receivers) separately from tags 102.

One or more of the receivers 106 may receive transmissions from tags 102and transmit the blink data to a receiver hub 108. The receiver hub 108may process the received data to determine tag location for the tags102. The receiver hub 108 may transmit the tag location data to one ormore processors, such as receiver processing and distribution system110. Receiver processing and distribution system 110 may use one or moremodules (e.g., processing engines) and one or more databases to identifythe object each of the tags 102 is associated with, such as a player,official, ball, or the like.

In some embodiments, multiple tags 102 (as well as other sensors) may beattached to the equipment worn by an individual player, official, orother participant. The receiver processing and distribution system 110may use one or more databases to associate the tag identifier (e.g., atag UID) of each tag 102 with each player, official, object, or otherparticipant and correlate the tag location data and/or other tag andsensor derived data for multiple tags 102 that are associated with aparticular player, official, object, or other participant.

As discussed in greater detail below, the receiver processing anddistribution system 110 may then use the tag location data and/or othertag and sensor derived data to determine player dynamics, such as aplayer's location, how the location is changing with time, orientation,velocity, acceleration, deceleration, total yardage, or the like. Thereceiver processing and distribution system 110 may also use the taglocation data and/or other tag and sensor derived data to determinedynamics for other participants such as the officials, the ball, penaltymarkers, line of scrimmage or yards to gain markers, or the like, foruse in generating data for performance analytics. The receiverprocessing and distribution system 110 may also use the data and one ormore databases to determine team formations, play activity, events,statistics, or the like, such as by comparing the data to various modelsto determine the most likely formation or play or the events that haveoccurred during a game. The receiver processing and distribution system110 may also use the data to provide statistics or other output data forthe players, teams, and the game.

In some embodiments, the receiver processing distribution system 110 maybe configured to communicate with a sport analytics interface system112, which may be configured to advantageously provide for the effectivevisualization of analytic data, such as sport analytics data, eventdata, statistical data, or the like, as described herein. In anotherembodiment, the receiver processing distribution system 110 may includea sport analytics interface system therein. In some embodiments, asports analytics interface system 112 may include an electronic device,such as a laptop computer, tablet computer, smartphone, smarttelevision, electronic book reader, touch surface, and/or the likeconfigured to display an interface providing sport analytics datacorresponding to a particular object, such as a football player.

As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the inventiveconcepts herein described are not limited to use with the UWB based RFlocating system shown in FIG. 1. Rather, in various embodiments, theinventive concepts herein described may be applied to various otherlocating systems especially those that are configured to provide robustlocation resolution (i.e., subfoot location resolution).

Example Tag/Sensor Positioning and Participant Correlation

FIG. 1 shows a monitored area 100. The monitored area 100 comprises aplurality of positions at one or more time epochs. The plurality ofpositions may be divided into one or more regions, called zones. Eachzone may be described by one or more coordinate systems, such as a localNED (North-East-Down) system, a latitude-longitude system, or even ayard line system as might be used for an American football game. Alocation is a description of a position, or a plurality of positions,within the monitored area. For example, a field marker at theintersection of the south goal line and west out of bounds line at Bankof America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. could be described as {0,0,0} in alocal NED system, or 35.225336 N 80.85273 W longitude 751 ft. altitudeon a latitude-longitude system, or simply “Panthers Goal Line” in a yardline system. Because different types of locating systems or differentzones within a single locating system may use different coordinatesystems, a Geographical Information System or similar monitored areadatabase may be used to associate location data. One type ofGeographical Information System describing at least a field of play maybe called Field Data.

Exemplary Participants and Location Tag Mounting

FIGS. 2A-C illustrate some exemplary participants that may provideinformation to a performance analytics system in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2A illustrates a player 202(e.g., a football player) wearing equipment having attached tags 102 inaccordance with some embodiments. In particular, the depicted player 202is wearing shoulder pads having tags 102 affixed to opposite sidesthereof. This positioning advantageously provides an elevated broadcastposition for each tag 102 thereby increasing its communicationeffectiveness.

Additional sensors 203 may be attached to equipment worn by player 202,such as accelerometers, magnetometers, time-of-flight sensors, healthmonitoring sensors (e.g., blood pressure sensors, heart monitors,respiration sensors, moisture sensors, temperature sensors), lightsensors, or the like. The additional sensors 203 may be affixed toshoulder pads, the helmet, the shoes, rib pads, elbow pads, the jersey,the pants, a bodysuit undergarment, gloves, arm bands, wristbands, andthe like.

Sensors 203 may be configured to communicate with receivers (e.g.,receivers 106 of FIG. 1) directly or indirectly through tags 102 orother transmitters. For example, in one embodiment, a sensor 203 may beconnected, wired (e.g., perhaps through wires sewn into a jersey orbodysuit undergarment) or wirelessly, to tags 102 to provide sensor datato tags 102, which is then transmitted to the receivers 106. In anotherembodiment, a plurality of sensors (not shown) may be connected to adedicated antenna or transmitter, perhaps positioned in the helmet,which may transmit sensor data to one or more receivers.

FIG. 2B illustrates a game official 206 wearing equipment havingattached tags 102 and sensors 203 in accordance with some embodiments.In the depicted embodiment, tags 102 are attached to the official'sjersey proximate opposite shoulders. Sensors 203 are positioned inwristbands worn on the official's wrists as shown. Sensors 203 may beconfigured to communicate with receivers (e.g., receivers 106 of FIG. 1)directly or indirectly through tags 102 or other transmitters asdiscussed above in connection with FIG. 2A.

As discussed in greater detail below, the positioning of sensors 203(here, accelerometers) proximate the wrists of the official may allowthe receiver processing and distribution system 110 to determineparticular motions, movements, or activities of the official 206 for usein determining events (e.g., winding of the game clock, first down,touchdown, or the like). The official 206 may also carry otherequipment, such as penalty flag 208, which may also have a tag 102 (andoptionally one or more sensors) attached to provide additional data tothe receiver processing and distribution system 110. For example, thereceiver processing and distribution system 110 may use tag locationdata from the penalty flag 208 to determine when the official is merelycarrying the penalty flag 208 versus when the official is using thepenalty flag 208 to indicate an event, such as a penalty (e.g., bythrowing the penalty flag 208).

FIG. 2C illustrates an example of a ball 210 having tags 102 attached orembedded in accordance with some embodiments. Additionally, sensors 203may be attached to or embedded in the ball 210, such as accelerometers,time-of-flight sensors, or the like. In some embodiments, the sensor 203may be connected, wired or wirelessly, to tag 102 to provide sensor datato tag 102 which is then transmitted to the receivers 106. In someembodiments, the sensor 203 may transmit sensor data to receiversseparately from the tag 102, such as described above in connection withFIG. 2A.

As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of thisdisclosure, once the tags 102 and sensors 203 of FIGS. 2A-C arepositioned on participants, they may be correlated to such participants.For example, in some embodiments, unique tag or sensor identifiers(“unique IDs”) may be correlated to a participant profile (e.g., JohnSmith—running back, Fred Johnson—line judge official, or ID 027—one ofseveral game balls, etc.) and stored to a remote database accessible tothe performance analytics system as discussed in greater detail below.Each participant profile may further include or be correlated with avariety of data including, but not limited to, biometric data (e.g.,height, weight, health data, etc.), role data, team ID, performancestatistics, and other data that may be apparent to one of skill in theart in view of the foregoing description.

In some embodiments, such participant profile or role data may bepre-defined and stored in association with the unique tag or sensoridentifiers. In other embodiments, the participant profile or role datamay also be “learned” by the system as a result of received tag orsensor data, formation data, play data, event data, and/or the like. Forexample, in some embodiments the system may determine that a tag orsensor is not correlated to a participant profile and may analyze datareceived from the tag and/or sensor to determine possible participantroles, etc., which may be ranked and then selected/confirmed by thesystem or by a user after being displayed by the system. In someembodiments, the system may determine possible participant roles (i.e.,participant role data) based on determined participant location data(e.g., movement patterns, alignment position, etc.).

In some embodiments, as described in greater detail below, theparticipant profile or role data may also be updated by the system(i.e., to produce a data set for the participant that is far more robustthan that established at initial registration) as a result of receivedtag or sensor data, formation data, play data, event data, and/or thelike. In some embodiments, the participant profile and/or role data maybe used in a performance analytics system to weight the actions of theparticipants during analysis to assist in qualifying what is occurring,such as in determining formations, plays, events, etc.

Tag ID and Sensor Data Transmission Architecture

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E show block diagrams of various differentarchitectures that may be utilized in transmitting signals from one ormore tags and sensors to one or more receivers of a receiver processingand analytics system in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Insome embodiments, the depicted architectures may be used in connectionwith the receiver processing and analytics system 110 of FIG. 1. Morethan one of these architectures may be used together in a single system.

FIG. 3A shows a RF location tag 102, such as that shown in FIG. 1, whichmay be configured to transmit a tag signal to one or more receivers 106.The one or more receivers 106 may transmit a receiver signal to thereceiver hub/locate engine 108.

The depicted RF location tag 102 may generate or store a tag uniqueidentifier (“tag UID”) and/or tag data as shown. The tag data mayinclude useful information such as the installed firmware version, lasttag maintenance date, configuration information, and/or a tag-individualcorrelator. The tag-individual correlator may comprise data thatindicates that a monitored individual (e.g., participant) is associatedwith the RF location tag 102 (e.g. participant name, uniform number andteam, biometric data, tag position on individual, i.e., right wrist, tagUID, or the like). As will be apparent to one of skill in the art inview of this disclosure, the tag-individual correlator may be stored tothe RF location tag 102 when the tag is registered or otherwiseassociated with an individual. While shown as a separate field forillustration purposes, one of ordinary skill in the art may readilyappreciate that the tag-individual correlator may be part of any tagdata or even omitted from the tag.

The tag signal transmitted from RF location tag 102 to receiver 106 mayinclude “blink data” as it is transmitted at selected intervals. This“blink rate” may be set by the tag designer or the system designer tomeet application requirements. In some embodiments it is consistent forone or all tags; in some embodiments it may be data dependent. Blinkdata includes characteristics of the tag signal that allow the tagsignal to be recognized by the receiver 106 so the location of the RFlocation tag 102 may be determined by the locating system. Blink datamay also comprise one or more tag data packets. Such tag data packetsmay include any data from the tag 102 that is intended for transmissionsuch as, for example in the depicted embodiment, a tag UID, tag data,and a tag-individual correlator. In the case of TDOA systems, the blinkdata may be or include a specific pattern, code, or trigger that thereceiver 106 (or downstream receiver processing and analytics system)detects to identify that the transmission is from a RF location tag 102(e.g., a UWB tag).

The depicted receiver 106 receives the tag signal, which includes blinkdata and tag data packets as discussed above. In one embodiment, thereceiver 106 may pass the received tag signal directly to the receivereceiver hub/locate engine 108 as part of its receiver signal. Inanother embodiment, the receiver 106 could perform some basic processingon the received tag signal. For instance, the receiver could extractblink data from the tag signal and transmit the blink data to thereceive receiver hub/locate engine 108. The receiver could transmit atime measurement to the receive receiver hub/locate engine 108 such as aTOA measurement and/or a TDOA measurement. The time measurement could bebased on a clock time generated or calculated in the receiver, it couldbe based on a receiver offset value as explained in FIG. 1 above, itcould be based on a system time, and/or it could be based on the timedifference of arrival between the tag signal of the RF location tag 102and the tag signal of a RF reference tag (e.g., tag 104 of FIG. 1). Thereceiver 106 could additionally or alternatively determine a signalmeasurement from the tag signal (such as a received signal strengthindication (RSSI), a direction of signal, signal polarity, or signalphase) and transmit the signal measurement to the receive receiverhub/locate engine 108.

FIG. 3B shows a RF location tag 202 and sensor 203, such as those wornon an individual's person as shown in FIG. 2, which may be configured totransmit tag signals and sensor signals, respectively, to one or morereceivers 106, 166. The one or more receivers 106, 166 may then transmitreceiver signals to the receiver hub/locate engine 108. One or morereceivers 106, 166 may share physical components, such as a housing orantenna.

The depicted RF location tag 202 may comprise a tag UID and tag data(such as a tag-individual correlator) and transmit a tag signalcomprising blink data as discussed in connection with FIG. 3A above. Thedepicted sensor 203 may generate and/or store a sensor UID, additionalstored sensor data (e.g. a sensor-individual correlator, sensor type,sensor firmware version, last maintenance date, the units in whichenvironmental measurements are transmitted, etc.), and environmentalmeasurements. The “additional stored sensor data” of the sensor 203 mayinclude any data that is intended for transmission, including but notlimited to a RF location tag 202, a reference tag (e.g., 104 of FIG. 1),a sensor receiver, a receiver 106, and/or the receiver/receiver hublocate engine 108.

The sensor-individual correlator may comprise data that indicates that amonitored individual is associated with the sensor 203 (e.g., name,uniform number and team, biometric data, sensor position on individual,i.e., right wrist). As will be apparent to one of skill in the art inview of this disclosure, the sensor-individual correlator may be storedto the sensor 203 when the sensor is registered or otherwise associatedwith an individual. While shown as a separate field for illustrationpurposes, one of ordinary skill in the art may readily appreciate thatthe sensor-individual correlator may be part of any additional storedsensor data or omitted from the sensor altogether.

Sensors such as sensor 203 that are structured according to embodimentsof the invention may sense or determine one or more environmentalconditions (e.g. temperature, pressure, pulse, heartbeat, rotation,velocity, acceleration, radiation, position, chemical concentration,voltage) and store or transmit “environmental measurements” that areindicative of such conditions. To clarify, the term “environmentalmeasurements” includes measurements concerning the environment proximatethe sensor including, without limitation, ambient information (e.g.,temperature, position, humidity, etc.) and information concerning anindividual's health, fitness, operation, and/or performance.Environmental measurements may be stored or transmitted in either analogor digital form and may be transmitted as individual measurements, as aset of individual measurements, and/or as summary statistics. Forexample, temperature in degrees Celsius may be transmitted as {31}, oras {33, 32, 27, 22, 20, 23, 27, 30, 34, 31}, or as {27.9}. In someembodiments, the sensor-individual correlator could be determined atleast in part from the environmental measurements.

In the depicted embodiment, RF location tag 202 transmits a tag signalto receiver 106 and sensor 203 transmits a sensor signal to sensorreceiver 166. The sensor signal may comprise one or more sensorinformation packets. Such sensor information packets may include anydata or information from the sensor 203 that is intended fortransmission such as, for example in the depicted embodiment, sensorUID, additional stored sensor data, sensor-individual correlator, andenvironmental measurements. A receiver signal from receiver 106 and asensor receiver signal from sensor receiver 166 may be transmitted viawired or wireless communication to receiver hub/locate engine 108 asshown.

FIG. 3C depicts a sensor 203 communicating through a RF location tag 202in accordance with various embodiments. In one embodiment, the sensor203 may be part of (i.e., reside in the same housing or assemblystructure) of the RF location tag 202. In another embodiment, the sensor203 may be distinct from (i.e., not resident in the same housing orassembly structure) the RF location tag 202 but configured tocommunicate wirelessly or via wired communication with the RF locationtag 202.

In one embodiment, the RF location tag 202, the sensor 203, or both, maygenerate and/or store a tag-sensor correlator that indicates anassociation between a RF location tag 202 and a sensor 203 (e.g., tagUID/sensor UID, distance from tag to sensor in a particular stance, setof sensors associated with a set of tags, sensor types associated with atag, etc.). In the depicted embodiment, both the RF location tag 202 andthe sensor 203 store the tag-sensor correlator.

In the depicted embodiment, sensor 203 transmits a sensor signal to RFlocation tag 202. The sensor signal may comprise one or more sensorinformation packets as discussed above. The sensor information packetsmay comprise the sensor UID, a sensor-individual correlator, additionalstored sensor data, the tag-sensor correlator, and/or the environmentalmeasurements. The RF location tag 202 may store some portion of, or allof, the sensor information packets locally and may package the sensorinformation packets into one or more tag data packets for transmissionto receiver 106 as part of a tag signal or simply pass them along aspart of its tag signal.

FIG. 3D illustrates an example communication structure for a referencetag 104 (e.g., reference tag 104 of FIG. 1), an RF location tag 202, asensor 203, and two receivers 106 in accordance with one embodiment. Thedepicted reference tag 104 is a RF location tag and thus may include tagdata, a tag UID, and is capable of transmitting tag data packets. Insome embodiments, the reference tag 104 may form part of a sensor andmay thus be capable of transmitting sensor information packets.

The depicted sensor 203 transmits a sensor signal to RF reference tag104. The RF reference tag 104 may store some portion or some or all ofthe sensor information packets locally and may package the sensorinformation packets into one or more tag data packets for transmissionto receiver 106 as part of a tag signal, or simply pass them along aspart of its tag signal.

As was described above in connection with FIG. 1, the receivers 106 ofFIG. 3D are configured to receive tag signals from the RF location tag202 and the reference tag 104. Each of these tag signals may includeblink data, which may comprise tag UIDs, tag data packets, and/or sensorinformation packets. The receivers 106 each transmit receiver signalsvia wired or wireless communication to the receiver hub/locate engine108 as shown.

FIG. 3E illustrates an example communication structure between an RFlocation tag 202, a plurality of receivers 106, and a variety of sensortypes including, without limitation, a sensor 203, a diagnostic device233, a triangulation positioner 243, a proximity positioner 253, and aproximity label 263 in accordance with various embodiments. In thedepicted embodiment, none of the sensors 203, 233, 243, 253 form part ofan RF location tag 202 or reference tag 104. However, each may comprisea sensor UID and additional stored sensor data. Each of the depictedsensors 203, 233, 243, 253 transmits sensor signals comprising sensorinformation packets.

In the depicted embodiment, receiver 106 is configured to receive a tagsignal from RF location tag 202 and a sensor signal directly from sensor203. In such embodiments, sensor 203 may be configured to communicate ina communication protocol that is common to RF location tag 202 as willbe apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 3E depicts one type of sensor referred to herein as a “proximityinterrogator”. The proximity interrogator 223 can include circuitryoperative to generate a magnetic, electromagnetic, or other field thatis detectable by a RF location tag 202. While not shown in FIG. 3E, aproximity interrogator 223 may include a sensor UID and other tag andsensor derived data or information as discussed above.

In some embodiments, the proximity interrogator 223 is operative as aproximity communication device that can trigger a RF location tag 202(e.g., when the RF location tag 202 detects the field produced by theproximity interrogator 223) to transmit blink data under an alternateblink pattern or blink rate. The RF location tag can initiate apreprogrammed (and typically faster) blink rate to allow more locationpoints for tracking an individual. In some embodiments, the RF locationtag may not transmit a tag signal until triggered by the proximityinterrogator 223. In some embodiments the RF location tag 202 may betriggered when the RF location tag 202 moves near (e.g., withincommunication proximity to) a proximity interrogator 223. In someembodiments, the RF location tag may be triggered when the proximityinterrogator 223 moves near to the RF location tag 202.

In other embodiments, the RF location tag 202 may be triggered when abutton is pressed or a switch is activated on the proximity interrogator223 or on the RF location tag itself. For example, a proximityinterrogator 223 could be placed at the start line of a racetrack. Everytime a car passes the start line, a car-mounted RF location tag 202senses the signal from the proximity interrogator and is triggered totransmit a tag signal indicating that a lap has been completed. Asanother example, a proximity interrogator 223 could be placed at aGatorade cooler. Each time a player or other participant fills a cupfrom the cooler a participant-mounted RF location tag 202 senses thesignal from the proximity interrogator and is triggered to transmit atag signal indicating that Gatorade has been consumed. As anotherexample, a proximity interrogator 223 could be placed on a medical cart.When paramedics use the medical cart to pick up a participant (e.g., aplayer) and move him/her to the locker room, a participant-mounted RFlocation tag 202 senses the signal from the proximity interrogator andis triggered to transmit a tag signal indicating that they have beenremoved from the game. As explained, any of these post-triggered tagsignals may differ from pre-triggered tag signals in terms of any aspectof the analog and/or digital attributes of the transmitted tag signal.

FIG. 3E depicts another type of sensor that is generally not worn by anindividual but is referred to herein as a “diagnostic device”. However,like other sensors, diagnostic devices may measure one or moreenvironmental conditions and store corresponding environmentalmeasurements in analog or digital form.

While the depicted diagnostic device 233 is not worn by an individual,it may generate and store a sensor-individual correlator for associationwith environmental measurements taken in connection with a specificindividual. For example, in one embodiment, the diagnostic device 233may be a blood pressure meter that is configured to store asenvironmental measurements blood pressure data for various individuals.Each set of environmental measurements (e.g., blood pressure data) maybe stored and associated with a sensor-individual correlator.

The depicted diagnostic device 233 is configured to transmit a sensorsignal comprising sensor information packets to a sensor receiver 166.The sensor information packets may comprise one or more of the sensorUID, the additional stored data, the environmental measurements, and/orthe sensor-individual correlator as discussed above. The sensor receiver166 may associate some or all of the data from the sensor informationpackets with other stored data in the sensor receiver 166 or with datastored or received from other sensors, diagnostic devices, RF locationtags 102, or reference tags. The sensor receiver 166 transmits a sensorreceiver signal to a receiver hub/locate engine 108.

Another type of sensor shown in FIG. 3E is a triangulation positioner243. A “triangulation positioner” is a type of sensor that sensesposition. The depicted triangulation positioner 243 includes a sensorUID, additional stored sensor data, and environmental measurements asdiscussed above.

In some embodiments, a triangulation positioner (also known as a globalpositioning system (GPS) receiver) receives clock data transmitted byone or more geostationary satellites (a satellite in a known or knowableposition) and/or one or more ground based transmitters (also in known orknowable positions), compares the received clock data, and computes a“position calculation”. The position calculation may be included in oneor more sensor information packets as environmental measurements.

In another embodiment, a triangulation positioner comprises one or morecameras or image-analyzers that receive emitted or reflected light orheat, and then analyzes the received images to determine the location ofan individual or sensor. Although a triangulation positioner maytransmit data wirelessly, it is not a RF location tag because it doesnot transmit blink data or a tag signal that can be used by a receiverhub/locate engine 108 to calculate location. In contrast, atriangulation positioner senses position and computes a positioncalculation that may then be used as environmental measurements by thereceiver hub/locate engine 108.

In one embodiment, a triangulation positioner could be combined with aRF location tag or reference tag (not shown). In such embodiments, thetriangulation positioner could compute and transmit its positioncalculation via the RF location tag to one or more receivers. However,the receiver hub/locate engine would calculate tag location based on theblink data received as part of the tag signal and not based solely onthe position calculation. The position calculation would be consideredas environmental measurements and may be included in associated sensorinformation packets.

As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, positioncalculations (e.g., GPS receiver position calculations) are not asaccurate as the location calculations (e.g., UWB waveform based locationcalculations) performed by receiver hub/locate engines structured inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention. That is not to saythat position calculations may not be improved using known techniques.For example, a number of influences, including atmospheric conditions,can cause GPS accuracy to vary over time. One way to control this is touse a differential global positioning system (DGPS) comprising one or anetwork of stationary triangulation positioners that are placed in aknown position, and the coordinates of the known position are stored inmemory as additional stored sensor data. These triangulation positionersreceive clock data from geostationary satellites, determine a positioncalculation, and broadcast a difference between the position calculationand the stored coordinates. This DGPS correction signal can be used tocorrect for these influences and significantly reduce location estimateerror.

Another type of sensor shown in FIG. 3E is a proximity detector 253. A“proximity detector” is a type of sensor that senses identity within anarea (e.g., a local area) that is small with respect to the monitoredarea 100 of FIG. 1. Many different ways of sensing identity (e.g., aunique ID or other identifier for a sensed object or individual) wouldbe apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of thisdisclosure including, without limitation, reading a linear bar code,reading a two-dimensional bar code, reading a near field communication(NFC) tag, reading a RFID tag such as a UHF tag, HF tag, or lowfrequency tag, an optical character recognition device, a biometricscanner, or a facial recognition system.

In some embodiments, a proximity detector senses an attribute of anindividual (or an individual's wristband, tag, label, card, badge,clothing, uniform, costume, phone, ticket, etc.). The identity sensed bya proximity detector may be stored locally at the proximity detector 253as shown and transmitted as environmental measurements via one or moresensor information packets to a sensor receiver 166.

In some embodiments, a proximity detector 253 may have a definedposition, which is often stationary, and may be associated with alocation in the monitored area 100 of FIG. 1. For example, a proximitydetector 253 could be located at a finish line of a race track, anentrance gate of a stadium, with a diagnostic device, at a goal line orgoal post of a football field, at a base or home plate of a baseballdiamond, or a similar fixed location. In such embodiments in which theproximity detector is stationary, the position coordinates of theproximity detector and a sensor UID could be stored to a monitored areadatabase (not shown) that is accessible by one or more of the receivers106, 166, the receiver hub/locate engine 108, and/or other components ofthe receiver processing and analytics system 110. In embodiments inwhich the proximity detector is movable, a position calculation could bedetermined with a triangulation positioner, or the proximity detectorcould be combined with a RF location tag and located by the receiverhub/locate engine 108. While shown as separate fields for illustrationpurposes in FIG. 3E, identify information and position calculation couldcomprise part of the additional stored sensor data, the environmentalmeasurements, or both.

In one embodiment, the proximity detector could be associated with areference tag (e.g., tag 104 of FIG. 1) whose position is recorded inthe monitored area database. In other embodiments, the proximitydetector is movable, such that it may be transported to in which it isneeded. For example, a proximity detector 253 could be located on amedical cart, first down marker, a diagnostic device, goal post, orcarried by a paramedic or security guard. In an embodiment in which theproximity detector 253 is movable it would typically be associated witha RF location tag or triangulation positioner so that location (for a RFlocation tag) or position (for a triangulation positioner) can bedetermined at the time identity is sensed.

In the embodiment in which the proximity detector includes a RF locationtag, the receiver hub/locate engine 108 would locate the associated RFlocation tag, and the tag data/sensor data filter 112 would associatethe tag location data for the associated RF location tag as the positionof the proximity detector, while determining the identity of anassociated individual from any received sensor information packets. Inthe alternate embodiment in which the proximity detector includes atriangulation positioner, the triangulation positioner would compute aposition calculation that could be stored as additional stored sensordata and/or environmental measurements, and transmitted as one or moresensor information packets. In one embodiment, sensor informationpackets for a proximity detector may include both sensed identityinformation and a position calculation.

Another type of sensor shown in FIG. 3E is a proximity label 263. Aproximity label has a fixed position and an identification code (e.g., asensor UID). The proximity label 263 may further comprise additionalstored sensor data as shown. The depicted proximity label 263 isconfigured to be read by proximity detector 253. In some embodiments,proximity detector 253 may be further configured to write information toproximity label 263.

A proximity label 263 may be a sticker, card, tag, passive RFID tag,active RFID tag, NFC tag, ticket, metal plate, electronic display,electronic paper, inked surface, sundial, or otherwise visible ormachine readable identification device as is known in the art. Thecoordinates of the position of the proximity label 263 are stored suchthat they are accessible to the receive receiver hub/locate engine 108.For example, in one embodiment, the position coordinates of a proximitylabel 263 could be stored in a field database or monitored area databaseaccessible via a network, or stored locally as additional stored data inthe proximity detector 253.

In some embodiments, a position of the proximity label 263 is encodedinto the proximity label 263 itself. For example, coordinates of aposition of the proximity label 263 could be encoded into a passive RFIDtag that is placed in that position. As another example, the coordinatesof a position of the proximity label 263 could be encoded into a printedbarcode that is placed in that position. As another example, a proximitylabel 263 comprising a NFC tag could be encoded with the location “endzone”, and the NFC tag could be placed at or near an end zone at Bank ofAmerica stadium. In some embodiments, the stored coordinates of theproximity label 263 may be offset from the actual coordinates of theproximity label 263 by a known or determinable amount.

In one embodiment, a proximity label 263 such as an NFC tag may beencoded with a position. When a sensor such as a proximity detectorapproaches the NFC tag it may read the position, then transmit theposition in a sensor information packet to the sensor receiver 166′ andeventually to the receiver hub/locate engine 108. In another embodiment,a proximity label 263 such as a barcode label may be encoded with anidentification code. When a smartphone with a proximity detector (suchas a barcode imager) and a triangulation positioner (such as a GPS chip,GPS application, or similar device) approaches the barcode label it mayread the identification code from the barcode, determine a positioncalculation from received clock data, then transmit the identity and theposition calculation to sensor receiver 166′ and eventually to thereceiver hub/locate engine 106 as part of one or more sensor informationpackets.

In the depicted embodiment, triangulation positioner 243 and proximitydetector 253 are each configured to transmit sensor signals carryingsensor information packets to sensor receiver 166′. The depicted sensors243, 253, like any sensor discussed herein, may transmit sensor signalsvia wired or wireless communication protocols. For example, anyproprietary or standard wireless protocol (e.g., 802.11, Zigbee, ISO/IEC802.15.4, ISO/IEC 18000, IrDA, Bluetooth, CDMA, or any other protocol)could be used for the sensor signals. Alternatively or additionally, anystandard or proprietary wired communication protocol (e.g., Ethernet,Parallel, Serial, RS-232, RS-422, USB, Firewire, I2C, etc.) may be used.Similarly, sensor receiver 166′, and any receiver discussed herein, mayuse similar wired and wireless protocols to transmit receiver signals tothe receiver hub/locate engine.

In one embodiment, upon receiving sensor signals from the triangulationpositioner 243 and the proximity detector 253, the sensor receiver 166′may associate some or all of the data from the received sensorinformation packets with other data stored to the sensor receiver 166′,or with data stored or received from other sensors (e.g., sensor 203),diagnostic devices 233, RF location tags 102, or RF reference tags 104.Such associated data is referred to herein as “associated sensor data”.In the depicted embodiment, the sensor receiver 166′ is configured totransmit some or all of the received sensor information packets and anyassociated sensor data to the receiver hub/locate engine 108 at part ofa sensor receiver signal.

In one embodiment, a smartphone comprising a proximity detector (such asa barcode imager) and a triangulation positioner (such as a GPS chip)may associate an identification code determined from a barcode with aposition calculation from received clock data as associated sensor dataand transmit a sensor information packet that includes such associatedsensor data to the receiver hub/locate engine 108. In anotherembodiment, the smartphone could transmit a first sensor informationpacket including the identification code and the smartphone's uniqueidentifier to another sensor receiver, the smartphone could transmit asecond sensor information packet including the position calculation andthe smartphone's unique identifier to the sensor receiver, and thesensor receiver could associate the position calculation with theidentification code based on the common smartphone unique identifier andtransmit such associated sensor data to the receiver hub/locate engine108. In another embodiment, the sensor receiver could determine a firsttime measurement associated with the first sensor information packet anda second time measurement associated with the second sensor informationpacket that, in conjunction with the sensor UID, could be used, by thereceiver hub/locate engine 108, to associate the first sensorinformation packet with the second sensor information packet.

In one embodiment, the receiver hub/locate engine 108 receives receiversignals from the receiver 106 and sensor receiver signals from thesensor receivers 166, 166′. In the depicted embodiment, receiver 106 mayreceive blink data from the RF location tag 102 and transmits to thereceiver hub/locate engine 108 some or all of the blink data, perhapswith additional time measurements or signal measurements. In someembodiments, time measurements or signal measurements may be based on atag signal received from a RF reference tag (e.g., reference tag 104 ofFIG. 1). The receiver hub/locate engine 108 collects the blink data,time measurements (e.g. time of arrival, time difference of arrival,phase), and/or signal measurements (e. g. signal strength, signaldirection, signal polarization, signal phase) from the receivers 106 andcomputes tag location data for the tags 102 as discussed above inconnection with FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the receivers 106 may beconfigured with appropriate RF filters, such as to filter outpotentially interfering signals or reflections proximate the field ofplay or other area to be monitored.

The receiver hub/locate engine 108 may also access stored data or clockdata from local storage and from a network location. The receiverhub/locate engine 108 uses this information to determine tag locationdata for each RF location tag. It may also associate data derived orextracted from tag signals transmitted from one or more RF location tagswith information or data derived or extracted from sensor signalstransmitted from one or more sensors.

In addition to the TOA or TDOA systems previously described, otherreal-time location systems (RTLS) such as received signal strengthindication based systems could potentially be implemented by a receiverhub/locate engine 108. Any RTLS system using RF location tags, includingthose described herein could require considerable processing by thereceiver hub/locate engine 108 to determine the tag location data fromthe blink data received from the tags. These may require timemeasurement and/or signal measurement in addition to blink data, whichpreferably includes a tag UID. In contrast, in other systems, such asglobal position systems (GPS) systems, location data is determined basedupon the position calculation transmitted from a GPS transmitter (alsoreferred to as a GPS receiver or GPS tag) which includes calculatedinformation about the location where the tag was positioned (i.e.,coordinates determined at the tag via satellite signal triangulation,etc.) when the position calculation was determined or stored. Thus, GPSinformation typically refers to additional information that istransmitted along with a GPS transmitter ID before the transmission isreceived by a sensor receiver.

A GPS host device or back-end server may receive the GPS information andsimply parse the position calculation (as opposed to calculating theposition information at the host device) and the GPS transmitter ID intoa data record. This data record may be used as a GPS positioncalculation, or it could be converted to a different coordinate systemto be used as a GPS position calculation, or it could be processedfurther with DGPS information to be used as a GPS position calculation.

Returning to FIG. 3C, the depicted RF location tag 202 is used to convey(sometimes called backhaul) sensor information packets to a receiver106. In some embodiments, while not shown, multiple sensors 203 maytransmit sensor signals carrying sensor information packets to RFlocation tag 202. Such received sensor information packets may beassociated with blink data that is transmitted to receiver 106.

In one embodiment, the receiver hub/locate engine 108 may parse sensorinformation packets from received tag data packets and associate suchsensor information packets with the RF location tag 202 that transmittedthe sensor information packet. Thus, the receiver hub/locate engine 108may be able to determine tag location data, which may comprise alocation and other data (e.g., tag data, tag UID, tag-individualcorrelator, sensor-individual correlator, additional stored sensor data,environmental measurements, tag-sensor correlator, identity information,position calculation, etc.) from one or more tags or sensors. Such dataand information may be transmitted to the receiver processing andanalytics system 110.

In some embodiments, once the receiver hub/locate engine 108 determinesa location estimate of a RF location tag 102 at the time epoch of thetag signal, the receiver hub/locate engine 108 can also associate alocation estimate with the tag data packet included in the blink data ofsuch tag signal. In some embodiments, the location estimate of the tagsignal may be used as tag location data for the tag data packet. In someembodiments a Geographical Information System (GIS) may be used by thereceive receiver hub/locate engine 108 to refine a location estimate, orto map a location estimate in one coordinate system to a locationestimate in a different coordinate system, to provide a locationestimate for the tag data packet.

In one embodiment, the location estimated for the tag data packet may beassociated with any data in the tag data packet, including a tag UID,other tag data, and, if included, one or more sensor informationpackets, including sensor UID, additional stored sensor data, andenvironmental measurements. Since environmental measurements may includea position calculation from a triangulation positioner (e.g., a GPSdevice), the receiver hub/locate engine 108 could parse the positioncalculation and use it to refine a location estimate for the tag datapacket.

Preferably, the receiver hub/locate engine 108 may access an individualdatabase to determine tag-individual correlators or sensor-individualcorrelators. Individual data (e.g., an individual profile) may be storedin a server, in tag memory, in sensor memory, or in other storageaccessible via a network or communication system, including tag data oradditional stored sensor data as explained previously.

In some embodiments, by comparing data accessed using asensor-individual correlator, the receiver hub/locate engine 108 mayassociate an individual with a sensor information packet received from asensor, and/or may associate an individual with such sensor. Because thereceiver hub/locate engine 108 may associate a sensor position estimatewith a sensor information packet, the receiver hub/locate engine 108 mayalso estimate an individual position for the associated individual.

In another embodiment, by comparing data accessed using a tag-sensorcorrelator, the receiver hub/locate engine 108 may associate a sensorwith a tag data packet received from a RF location tag 102. Because thereceiver hub/locate engine 108 may associate a location estimate with atag data packet, the receiver hub/locate engine 108 may also create asensor location estimate for the associated sensor. By comparing alocation estimate for a RF location tag with a sensor location estimateor a sensor position estimate, the receiver hub/locate engine 108 mayassociate a RF location tag with a sensor, or may associate a tag datapacket with a sensor information packet. The receiver hub/locate engine108 could also determine a new or refined tag-sensor correlator based onthis association.

In still another embodiment, by comparing a location estimate for a RFlocation tag with an individual location estimate or an individualposition estimate, the receiver hub/locate engine 108 may associate a RFlocation tag with an individual, or may associate a tag data packet withan individual. The receiver hub/locate engine 108 could also determine anew or refined tag-individual correlator based on this association.

In one embodiment, by comparing a location estimate for a sensor with anindividual location estimate or an individual position estimate, thereceiver hub/locate engine 108 may associate a sensor with anindividual, or may associate a sensor information packet with anindividual. The receiver hub/locate engine 108 could also determine anew or refined sensor-individual correlator based on this association.

Data derived or extracted from tag signals transmitted from one or moreRF location tags is referred to herein as “tag derived data” and shallinclude, without limitation, tag data, tag UID, tag-individualcorrelator, tag-sensor correlator, tag data packets, blink data, timemeasurements (e.g. time of arrival, time difference of arrival, phase),signal measurements (e. g., signal strength, signal direction, signalpolarization, signal phase) and tag location data (e.g., including taglocation estimates). Tag derived data is not derived by the RF locationtag, but rather, is derived from information transmitted by the RFlocation tag. Information or data derived or extracted from sensorsignals transmitted from one or more sensors is referred to herein as“sensor derived data” and shall include, without limitation, sensor UID,additional stored sensor data, sensor-individual correlator,environmental measurements, sensor information packets, positioncalculations (including sensor position estimates), positioninformation, identity information, tag-sensor correlator, and associatedsensor data. Data derived or extracted from stored individual data isreferred to herein as “individual profile information”, “participantprofile information”, or simply “profile information” and shall include,without limitation tag-individual correlator, sensor-individualcorrelator, identity information, name, uniform number and team,biometric data, tag position on individual. In various embodiments, thereceiver hub/locate engine 108 may transmit tag derived data, sensorderived data, individual profile information, various combinationsthereof, and/or any information from the GIS, the field database, themonitored area database, and the individual database to the receiverprocessing and analytics system 110.

Example Receiver Hub and Receiver Processing and Distribution System

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary system 300 for providing performanceanalytics in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.The depicted performance analytics system 300 may be distributed in areceiver hub 108 and a receiver processing and distribution system 110of the type depicted in FIG. 1. For example, locate engine 302 may bepart of the receiver hub 108 with the tag ID/Filter 304 through eventengine 322 forming part of the receiver processing and distributionsystem 110. In alternative embodiments, the performance analytics system300 may be housed or located in a single housing or unit. In still otherembodiments, the performance analytics system 300 may be distributedamong multiple additional housings or units depending upon theapplication and other design parameters that will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure.

The performance analytics system 300 of FIG. 4 may include a pluralityof tags 102, and optional sensors 203, associated with participants(e.g., players, officials, balls, field markers, etc.), a plurality ofreceivers 106 positioned within a monitored environment, a receiverhub/locate engine 302, one or more filters 304, a plurality ofdatabases, a plurality of processing engines, and a plurality of outputsystems. While only one type of receiver 106, other types of receivers,e.g., sensor receivers 166, 166′ of FIG. 3E, may be used in accordancewith the embodiments illustrated by FIG. 4. The one or more databasesmay include databases for tag identifiers 354, player roles 308, playerdynamics or kinetics models 310, GIS data or a GIS database 313, fielddata or a field knowledge database 314, formation models 316, playmodels 320, official roles 326, official models 328, ball models 332,weather data 375, and the like. The plurality of processing engines mayinclude a player dynamics engine 306, a team formation engine 312, aplay engine 318, an event engine 322, an official dynamics engine 324, afield marker engine 334, a ball engine 330, and a model generationengine 338, or the like. The system 300 may further include a game clock380 and a universal clock 385.

In an exemplary performance analytics system 300, such as illustrated inFIG. 4, the plurality of tags 102 (and sensors 203) may be attached to aparticipant as discussed in connection with FIGS. 2A-C. In someembodiments, the plurality of tags 102 and/or sensors 203 may beactivated and deactivated as needed, such as before and after a game orwhen damaged or to replace batteries, power suppliers, local memory,etc. Each of the tags 102 may transmit a tag signal, which may includetag derived data, which is received by one or more of the receivers 106.In some embodiments, the receivers 106 may be configured withappropriate RF filters, such as to filter out potentially interferingsignals or reflections proximate the field of play or other environmentto be monitored.

Each of the receivers 106 may receive tag derived data from the tags 102and transmit the tag derived data to the receiver hub/locate engine 302.The receiver hub/locate engine 302 collects the tag derived data fromthe receivers 106 and computes tag location data (based on the blinkdata) for the tags 102 as discussed above in connection with FIG. 1.

In the depicted embodiment, each of the receivers 106 receives sensorderived data from sensor signals transmitted by sensors 203. In otherembodiments, sensor receivers (e.g., sensor receivers 166, 166′ of FIG.3E) may transmit sensor signals comprising sensor derived data to thereceiver hub/locate engine 302.

The tag location data, tag derived data, and sensor derived data may beprovided from the receiver hub/locate engine 302 to a tag ID/filter 304that determines the type of participant associated with each receivedunique tag ID (and/or sensor ID) and routes the associated tag deriveddata (and optionally, other received tag/sensor derived data) to one ormore engines associated with such participant type (e.g., player, ball,official, field marker, etc.). In one embodiment, the tag ID/filter 304performs this routing, at least in part, by correlating the receivedunique tag ID (and/or sensor ID) to profile data or prior correlations(i.e., tag ID No. 0047 is correlated to participant JohnSmith—quarterback, sensor ID No. 12459 is correlated to MarcusHenderson—official, etc.) that may be stored to a tag/sensoridentification database 354 (i.e., tag-individual correlators,sensor-individual correlators, tag-sensor correlators, etc.). In someembodiments, the receivers 106 may also receive sensor derived data forother sensors 203, such as through the tags 102 or through separatetransmission means.

In one embodiment, perhaps in connection with the player illustration ofFIG. 2A, the tag ID/filter 304 identifies tag location data associatedwith a player and thus routes such data to a player dynamics engine 306for further processing. The player dynamics engine 306 is disposed incommunication with a player role database 308, which comprises playerrole data correlating tag and sensor UIDs to player profiles (e.g.,individual profile information) including, without limitation, whichroles (e.g., quarterback, running back, flanker, slot receiver, tightend, left tackle, left guard, center, right guard, right tackle,defensive end, defensive tackle, nose tackle, inside linebacker, outsidelinebacker, free safety, strong safety, cornerback kicker, punter, etc.)the players perform during a game.

The player dynamics engine 306 may also be disposed in communicationwith a dynamics/kinetics model database 310. The player dynamics engine306 may compare the tag location data, other tag and sensor deriveddata, and player role data to player dynamics/kinetics models todetermine aspects of the player dynamics or movement kinetics. Thedynamics/kinetics model database 310 may comprise models of differentaspects or dimensions that may be based on past player location data orother data generated by the model generation engine 338 as discussedbelow. The models may include, without limitation, models for aparticular player profile (e.g., John Smith), a player type (e.g.,quarterback), a player type for a particular team (e.g., a quarterbackfrom the Chicago Wizards), a player type for a particular formation(e.g., a quarterback in a spread offense), and the like. Such models mayconsider all three dimensions (x, y, z) of the tag location data foreach tag (e.g., 102 of FIG. 2A) and may further consider different tagposition arrays (e.g., two tag implementations—one proximate eachshoulder as in FIG. 2A, eleven tag implementations—one proximate eachshoulder, one proximate each elbow, one proximate each hand, oneproximate each knee, one proximate each foot, and one proximate thehead).

In one embodiment, the player dynamics engine 306 determines amulti-dimensional player location per unit time (e.g., participantlocation data) for each player based on the tag location data, other tagand sensor derived data, the player role data, and the playerdynamics/kinetics models. Such multi-dimensional player location mayinclude relative location of the player relative to the field of play,and/or general orientation of the player (e.g., standing, squatting,laying the ground, sitting, etc.) such as by correlating location dataand other tag and sensor derived data.

The player dynamics engine 306 uses the real time tag location datastream from the locate engine 302, as well as the player role database308 to provide accurate information about what a particular player isdoing in real time (or near real time). The player dynamics engine 306may further use other tag and sensor derived data, received from thelocate engine 302 in the depicted embodiment, to aid in determining notonly where the player is, but also how that player's location ischanging with time, velocity, acceleration, deceleration, orientation,or the like. The player dynamics engine 306 outputs multi-dimensionalplayer location information per unit time (e.g., participant locationdata).

In one embodiment, sensor derived data may comprise accelerometer datathat may indicate that a player (or portion of a player) is acceleratingor decelerating. In addition to the variety of other uses that will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure,the accelerometer data may be used to improve location accuracy for thesystem. For example, in circumstances where the real time tag locationdata stream erroneously suggests (perhaps due to interference, multipatheffects, signal reflections, signal losses due to line-of-sightblockages, etc.) that one of the possible locations for the player is 10feet away from a prior location, the accelerometer data could be used toconfirm that the player (or accelerometer affixed portion of the player)did not experience an acceleration sufficient to move that distance inthe amount of time provided.

In some embodiments, sensor derived data may comprise time-of-flightsensor data, which may indicate distances between participants (e.g.,distance of a player to other players, officials, the ball, etc.) orother objects. In applications involving complex tagged object movementssuch as, the example football application discussed herein,time-of-flight sensor data may be used to enhance the location accuracyof the system especially in circumstances in which one or more tags orsensors are temporally unable to effectively transmit their data to oneor more receivers. For example, in one embodiment, a tag positionedwithin the ball may appear to the system as not moving because therunning back carrying the ball has run into a group of other players andthe bodies of such other players are actually blocking the line-of-sighttransmissions of the ball tag. In this embodiment, time-of-flightsensors positioned on the group of other players may be repeatedlydetermining and transmitting to one or more receivers the relativedistance between such time-of-flight sensors and the ball or ballcarrier. In this regard, the system may determine that the ball is nolonger at the ten yard line (i.e., the point where the system lastreceived a transmission directly from the ball tag) but rather hasadvanced toward the opponent's end zone to the six yard line. This andother similar techniques may be used alone or in combination with othertag and sensor derived data (e.g., accelerometer data, etc.) to create atype of mesh network that may adapt to temporary or sustainedline-of-sight blockages and improve the accuracy of locationdeterminations, formation determinations, play determinations, etc.

In some embodiments, the player dynamics engine 306 outputsmulti-dimensional player location information per unit time to an eventengine 322. In some embodiments, the multi-dimensional player locationinformation may include a ranked or weighted list of probable playerlocations while, in other embodiments, the multi-dimensional playerlocation information includes only a top, or most probable, playerlocation. This information may be used by the event engine 322 todetermine a number of important player events. For example, themulti-dimensional player location information may be used to indicatethat a player was tackled (i.e., experienced a rapid deceleration andtransited from a standing to a laying position) and is subsequentlylimping (e.g., tag and/or sensor data from tags/sensors proximate theplayers feet indicate a change in the gait of the player). In suchexample, the event engine 322 may be configured to transmit an alert(e.g., via text message, email, or the like) to an athletic trainer tohave the player checked-out or treated.

The player dynamics engine 306 may further output the multi-dimensionalplayer location information per unit time (e.g., participant locationdata) to a team formation engine 312. The team formation engine 312 isdisposed in communication with a formation models database 316 thatcontains models of various formations (e.g., offensive formations,defensive formations, special teams formations, etc.) defined for therelevant sport or activity (e.g., football in the depicted embodiment).The models of various formations may be derived from multi-dimensionalplayer location information collected during prior games, practices,etc., (e.g., learned by the system) or as input by one or more teams,such as by using model generation engine 338, historical data store 336,and/or team analytics engine 346.

The team formation engine 312 is further disposed in communication witha field data database 314 to assist in determining the likely teamformations. The field data database 314 may comprise, withoutlimitation, survey data for the field (e.g., various distances orcoordinates from reference tag(s) or other marker to yard lines, endzones, goal posts, boundaries, benches, locker rooms, spectator areas,other zones of interest, etc.).

In one embodiment, the team formation engine 312 determines one or moreformations (e.g., a probable formation or a ranked or weighted list ofprobable formations) based at least in part on the field data, themulti-dimensional player location information (which may include the tagderived data and/or sensor derived data), and the formation models. Theteam formation engine 312 may hypothesize the received multi-dimensionalplayer location data against models of every known formation todetermine a probable formation or a ranked or weighted list of probableformations. The team formation engine 312 is thus configured todetermine and output a data stream of formations versus time, whichconsiders how various formations change and may be used by downstreamengines to determine various events including the occurrence of a play.

In one embodiment, the team formation engine 312 may assign weights tothe received multi-dimensional player location data (i.e., participantlocation data), other types of tag derived data and/or sensor deriveddata, and/or to the formation models when determining a specificformation or ranked list of probable formations. For example, in oneembodiment, the team formation engine 312 may be configured to assign agreater weight to the position of the ball (which should remainstationary for a period of time as formations are being established,i.e., at the beginning of a play) than to the position of an official(which may move to some degree as formations are forming). In anotherembodiment, the team formation engine 312 may be configured to assign agreater weight to the location of the tight-end (which may indicate thestrong side of a formation) than to the location of a left guard (whoselocation seldom effects formation determination). In still anotherembodiment, the team formation engine 312 may be configured to assign agreater weight to sensor derived data associated with an accelerometerpositioned proximate an official's wrist (which may indicate winding ofthe play clock that often triggers the period during which formationsought to be forming) than to the location of any player.

In one embodiment, the team formation engine 312 outputs the data streamof formations versus time (e.g., formation data) to the play engine 318.The play engine 318 may also receive the output data stream (e.g.,multi-dimensional player location information versus time) from theplayer dynamics engine 306. The play engine 318 is disposed incommunication with a play models database 320. The play models database320 may include play models (e.g., known formation shifts or movementsover time). Such play models may be programmatically learned by thesystem (e.g., based on actual movements of players tracked by thesystem) or manually entered through an interface or other tool (e.g.,perhaps through the model generation engine 338). In this regard, theplay models database 320 may include historical plays executed by teams,potential/future plays from a team game plan or playbook, or otherhistorical data (e.g., from historical data store 336).

In one embodiment, the play engine 318 may take the formations versustime data stream from the formation engine 312, the play models, and theplayer dynamics data stream (which may include tag location data and/orother tag and sensor derived data) to determine whether a play isforming, a play has started, a play is in progress, or a play has ended.For example, the play engine 318 may determine that it is most likelythat a pre-snap formation at the line of scrimmage has occurred (e.g.,an offensive team has aligned in a “pro set” formation and a defensiveteam has aligned in a “3-4” formation) indicating a play is about tobegin. The play engine 318 may thereafter determine that the offensiveand defensive players have begun rapidly accelerating towards and acrossa line of scrimmage thereby indicating that a play has begun. The playengine may further determine that an offensive player has been tackledby a defensive player thereby indicating that a play has concluded.

In some embodiments, the play engine 318 may use assigned weights (orassign weights) to the received data (e.g., the tag derived data, thesensor derived data, the multi-dimensional player location data, theformations data, officials data, etc.) for use in analyzing the data anddetermining the most probable play events. For example, the play engine318 may determine that data for particular participants (e.g., a leftguard) has a lower relevance for a particular formation (e.g., a pro setoffensive formation) and assign a lower weight to that data during theanalysis than to another participant (e.g., the ball, the quarterback, awide receiver, etc.).

In some embodiments, the play engine 318 is disposed in communicationwith an official dynamics engine 324 to further improve the playdetermination accuracy of the system. The official dynamics engine 324may provide data about the movements, actions, positions of an official,which the play engine 318 may use when determining a probable playand/or the status of a play. For example, as discussed in connectionwith FIG. 2B above, an official may be provided with wrist basedaccelerometers or other sensors (e.g., a whistle sensor), which may beused to flag the beginning or ending of a given play based on themovement or action of an official (e.g., rotating an arm to wind theplay clock, indicate touchdown with two arms raised, blow a whistle,etc.).

The play engine 318 may analyze how the team formations occur and howthey break up to determine both start and stop of a play (e.g., start ofplay event, end of play event, etc.). For example, the play engine 318may determine that offensive and defensive formations coalescedproximate a line of scrimmage and then broke up with various receiversheading towards the defensive team's end zone, there was all kinds ofactivity around a quarterback which eventually dissipated, and thatdefense players were tracking one of the receivers downfield until thereceiver crossed into the end zone and an official raised his arms. Theplay engine 318 may determine that this participant activity best fits aplay model whereby a ball was thrown and caught by a receiver who thenscored a touchdown thereby ending the play.

In some embodiments, the play engine 318 may hypothesize the receivedmulti-dimensional player location data (e.g., participant location data)and the data stream of formations versus time against models of everyknown play to determine a probable play or a ranked list of probableplays. The play engine 318 is thus configured to determine and output adata stream of plays versus time, which may be communicated to the eventengine 322.

In some embodiments, the tag ID/filter 304 may determine that receivedtag derived data and/or sensor derived data corresponds to one or moreofficials. Such official correlated tag/sensor derived data is routed tothe official dynamics engine 324. The official dynamics engine 324 isdisposed in communication with an official roles database 326, whichcomprises official roles data correlating tag and sensor IDs (or othertag/sensor individual correlators) to official profiles including,without limitation, which roles (e.g., referee, umpire, head linesman,line judge, back judge, field judge, side judge, etc.) the officialsperform during a game.

The official dynamics engine 324 may also be disposed in communicationwith a dynamics/kinetics model database 328. The official dynamicsengine 324 may compare the tag location data, other tag/sensor deriveddata, and official role data to official dynamics/kinetics models todetermine aspects of the official dynamics or movement kinetics. Thedynamics/kinetics model database 328 may comprise models of differentaspects or dimensions that may be based on past official location dataor other data generated by the model generation engine 338 as discussedbelow. The models may include, without limitation, models for aparticular official profile (e.g., Ralph Stevens), an official type(e.g., referee), an official type for a particular formation (e.g., areferee positioned during a kickoff), and the like. Such models mayconsider all three dimensions (x, y, z) of the tag location data foreach tag (e.g., 102 of FIG. 2B) and may further consider different tagposition arrays (e.g., two tag implementations—one proximate eachshoulder as in FIG. 2B, eleven tag implementations—one proximate eachshoulder, one proximate each elbow, one proximate each hand, oneproximate each knee, one proximate each foot, and one proximate thehead).

In one embodiment, the official dynamics engine 324 determines amulti-dimensional official location per unit time for each officialbased on the tag location data, other tag and sensor derived data, theofficial role data, and the official dynamics/kinetics models. Suchmulti-dimensional official location may include (1) a relative locationof the official relative to the field of play, (2) a general orientationof the official (e.g., standing, squatting, laying the ground, sitting,etc.), and (3) a specific orientation of the official (e.g., armsraised, arms at hips, one hand grasping the wrist of the other arm,etc.).

The official dynamics engine 324 uses the real time tag location datastream from the locate engine 302, as well as the official role database326 to provide accurate information about what a particular official isdoing in real time (or near real time). The official dynamics engine 324may further use tag and sensor derived data, received from the locateengine 302 in the depicted embodiment, to aid in determining not onlywhere the official is, but also how that official's location is changingwith time, velocity, acceleration, deceleration, orientation, or thelike. For example, in one embodiment, the sensor derived data maycomprise accelerometer data that may indicate that an official (orportion of an official) is accelerating or decelerating. The officialdynamics engine 324 outputs multi-dimensional official locationinformation per unit time. Such multi-dimensional official locationinformation may include information regarding the official's location,how the location is changing with time, orientation of the official,motions or gestures of the official, or the like.

In some embodiments, the tag ID/filter 304 may determine that receivedtag and/or sensor derived data corresponds to the game ball (e.g., aball such as the ball shown in FIG. 2C, which is used or capable of usein the field of play). Such ball correlated tag/sensor derived data isrouted to the ball dynamics engine 330. While the ball engine 330 is notshown in communication with a “roles” database as in the case of some ofthe other processing engines, one of ordinary skill in the art willreadily appreciate some ball role data may be used, such as a ball ID orthe like, indicating that the received tag/sensor derived data isassociated with a given ball.

The ball engine 330 may access a ball models database 332, whichcomprises data indicating how location data and other tag and sensorderived data correlates to particular ball events during play. The ballengine 330 may provide information regarding the ball'sposition/location (vertical and/or horizontal), how the location ischanging with time, the velocity of the ball, the rotation of the ball,or the like for determining events during play. The ball engine 330 mayoutput ball data streams to the event engine 322. In some embodiments,although not shown in FIG. 4, the ball engine may also output a datastream to other processing engines for analysis, such as to the playengine 318 for use in determining status of a play.

In some embodiments, the tag ID/filter 304 may determine that receivedtag and/or sensor derived data corresponds to a field marker (e.g.,penalty flags, line of scrimmage markers, yards to gain markers, and thelike). The tag ID/filter may then route such field marker correlatedtag/sensor derived data to a field marker engine 334 for furtherprocessing. The field marker engine 334 may provide informationregarding field marker location, how the location is changing with time,or the like, for determining events during play. The field marker engine334 may output data streams to the event engine 322. In someembodiments, although not shown in FIG. 3, the field marker engine mayalso output a data stream to other processing engines for analysis, suchas to the play engine 318 for use in determining the status of a play.

In some embodiments, a game clock 380 may be provided that is configuredto keep an official time for a game or other tracked activity. Inapplications such as the depicted football application, the game clockis configured to count down from some standard period or quarter length(e.g., 15 minutes) and may be periodically stopped or started by one ormore officials and/or the game operations system 342 as discussed ingreater detailed below. While not separately illustrated in FIG. 3, thegame clock 380 may further include a play clock, shot clock, pitchclock, or the like, which depending upon the application, may also bestarted and stopped by one or more officials and/or the game operationssystem 342.

The universal clock 385 provides a system time for the performance andanalytics system 300. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art in view of this disclosure, the universal clock 385 is runningclock for tracking, cataloging, and calibrating system actions,processes, and events. For illustrations purposes, the game clock 380and the universal clock are shown as inputs for the event engine 322;however, in other embodiments, such clocks may provide inputs to any orall of the player dynamics engine 306, the team formation engine 312,the play engine 318, the event engine 322, the official dynamics engine324, the field marker engine 334, the ball engine 330, and the modelgeneration engine 338.

An event engine 322 may receive the outputs from the player dynamicsengine 306, the team formation engine 312, the play engine 318, theofficial dynamics engine 324, the ball engine 330, the field markerengine 334, the weather data store 375, a game clock 380, and auniversal clock 385 to determine events occurring during game play or toperform analytics, including predictive analytics, on game related data.In some embodiments, the event engine 322 determines such events andperforms such analytics by comparing its received inputs to a historicdata store 336 containing past events or analytics. In some embodiments,the event engine 322 outputs event data streams (e.g., one or moreoutput events) to a number of systems including, without limitation, avisualization system 340, a game operations system 342, a camera controlsystem 344, a team analytics system 346, a league analytics system 348,a statistics system 350, an XML feed and/or instant message feed 352, ahistorical data store/engine 336, or other systems as may be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure.

In some embodiments, the event engine 322 may output event data streamsthat include the time delay between tag and/or sensor transmissions andthe determination of the events such that other processes, such as avisualization system, game operations system, etc., may properlycorrelate to different inputs (e.g., video recording versus thedetermined events) so that the different inputs are synchronized. Inother embodiments, the event data streams may include time stamps (gametime stamp, universal time stamp, etc.) for determined events or othersystem processes. In this way, the performance and analytics system 300or some downstream system can determine, inter alia, which events orprocesses occurred in-game (i.e., during a running game or play clock)or out-of-game (i.e., while the game or play clock were stopped).

In various embodiments, the event data streams or output events providedby the event engine may include tag events (e.g., battery lowindication, error indication, etc.), sensor events (e.g., battery lowindication, error indication, etc.), locate engine events (e.g., statusindications, error indications), tag ID/Filter events (e.g., statusindications, error indications), player dynamics engine events (e.g.,status indications, error indications), player events (e.g., playertackled indication, player injured indication, etc.), official dynamicsengine events (e.g., status indications, error indications), officialevents (e.g., official injured indication, etc.), ball engine events(e.g., status indications, error indications), ball events (e.g., newball required indication, etc.), team formation engine events (e.g.,status indications, error indications), team formation events (e.g.,formation type indication, new formation indication, illegal formationindication, etc.), play engine events (e.g., status indications, errorindications), play events (e.g., play type indications such as run,pass, punt, field goal, etc., play results, and in-play or sub-playevents such as bootleg, 3 step drop, 5 step drop, 7 step drop, crossingpattern, hook pattern, fly pattern, drive block, pass block, spin move,swim move, press coverage, zone coverage, etc.), or any other eventsthat may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of thisdisclosure. A variety of additional event data streams or output eventsare described in connection with the analytics systems and controlsystems discussed below.

In one embodiment, the event engine 322 outputs an event data stream tothe visualization system 340 that may be used by the visualizationsystem to provide enhanced telecasts or game experiences for televisionbroadcasts, streaming mobile device clients, and other media outlets,gaming systems, and other computer graphics visualization systems. Suchevent data streams may be used to provide enhanced graphics, displays,information, visualizations, and the like. For example, and withoutlimitation, the visualization system 340 may receive real time (or nearreal time) data including, without limitation, player ID, official ID,team ID, formation identifiers, play identifiers, pre-snap playprobabilities, play diagrams, player route data, player speed data,player acceleration data, ball route date, ball speed data, ballacceleration data, player trend information, offensive team trendinformation, defensive team trend information, special teams trendinformation, and other tag and/or sensor derived data. In someembodiments, the visualization system 340 may be configured to provide adynamically configurable interface that may be engaged by a user toselect graphics or areas of focus. For example, in one embodiment, auser may configure the system to display possible passing lanes for aquarterback to his eligible receivers. In still other embodiments, thevisualization system 340 may output a data stream for use in gamingsystems, such as plays, player actions, or the like.

In gaming systems examples, the visualization system 340 may provideoutput of event data that may be configured for display via a gamingconsole or handheld device. Such visualization system outputs may, forexample, provide for incorporating actual or predicted actions of a“live” player into a gaming environment. In some embodiments, thevisualization system may also access stored computer generated or usercreated avatars for use with the event data stream.

In some example embodiments, the visualization system 340 comprises aset of visualization tools and/or a framework to add additional datavisualization tools configured for operation in both a desktop andmobile device. The visualization system 340 may further be configured toimplement configurable dashboards that enable one or more dashboardcomponents to be viewed, multiple distinct levels of details (e.g.,icon— 1/64 of view area, graph— 1/16 of view area, panel—¼ of view area,full function—whole of view area and/or the like), drill downfunctionality, configurability and, in some examples, a predictableand/or guided software implementation. In some examples, the display andlayout that is enabled by the visualization system 340 is supportable byone or more dashboard components, visible or hidden, that enable a userto configure a dashboard to display selected components at differinglevels of detail without requiring the user to be concerned with layoutadjustments.

In some examples, dashboards or display elements may have links or mayrespond to click events by enabling or otherwise providing navigation,layout control or resizing functionality. In some examples, full screenviews and or drill down views may be provided. In yet further examples,dragging and/or dropping and resizing of the dashboards may beaccomplished using a user interface. Alternatively or additionally, thedashboard may take the form of one or more defined sizes as referencedabove.

In some examples, visualizations generated by the visualization system340 may be scalable. For example, the visualization may be scaled in oneor more (in some cases 3 or more) directions that include, but are notlimited to, quantity of player location data captured and stored,quantity and variety of real time data analysis and/or quantity of usersthat can visualize and/or track analytics data in real time

In one embodiment, the event engine 322 outputs an event data stream tothe game operations system 342 that may be used by the game operationssystem to coordinate, manage, or assist in the coordination or managingof game operations including, without limitation, the game clock 380(and optionally the play clock), down and distance determination, scoreboard operations, penalty enforcement, and the like. For example, andwithout limitation, the game operations system 342 may receive real time(or near real time) data from the event engine 322 including, withoutlimitation, a clock start indication, a clock stop indication, a playstart indication, a play end indication, a reset play clock indication,a 1^(st) down indication, a 2^(nd) down indication, a 3^(rd) downindication, a 4^(th) down indication, a turnover indication, a yard togain indication, a 5 yard penalty indication, a 10 yard penaltyindication, a 15 yard penalty indication, an end of quarter indication,an end of half indication, and an end of game indication.

Said differently, the event engine 322 may determine a number of eventsthat may be output to the game operations system or other devices. Suchevents may include, without limitation, a ready for play event (e.g., anofficial has spotted the ball at the line of scrimmage and started aplay clock in a football example, a pitcher has received the ball fromhis catcher in a baseball example, or the pins have been set in abowling example), a start of play event (e.g., the ball has been snappedin a football example, the pitcher has begun his pitching motion orwind-up in a baseball example, or a bowler has begun his bowling motionin a bowling example), and an end of play event (e.g., the official hasblown a whistle in a football example, an umpire has called a thirdstrike in a baseball example, or the nine pins have been knocked down ina bowling example). Such events may be used to determine plays,formations, and to output play diagrams (e.g., graphs or plots ofparticipant location versus time from a start of play event to an end ofplay event).

The event engine 322 may be further configured to output a play resultto the game operations system 342 or other device. Such play results mayinclude, for example and without limitation, a gain of twelve yards, aloss of three yards, an interception, a touchdown, a first down, and thelike in football embodiments; a ball, a strike, a fly-out, a single, adouble, a home run, a run scored, and the like in baseball embodiments;and a gutter, a strike, a spare, and the like in bowling embodiments.

As would be apparent to one of skill in the art, the various enginesand/or output systems may include security measures, such as encryption,access permissions, and the like, to secure system inputs and outputs.In some embodiments, the engines and/or output systems may comprisesecurity measures to prevent hacking, jamming, transmissioninterception, etc. to prevent interference from outside parties, such asthird parties attempting to gain information that may be advantageous inwagering, for example.

In one embodiment, the event engine 322 outputs an event data stream tothe camera control system 344 that may be used by the camera controlsystem to engage or transition engagement between one or moretelevision, film, or other cameras to capture game events. For example,and without limitation, the camera control system 344 may receive realtime (or near real time) data including, without limitation, an engageor disengage camera 1 indication, an engage or disengage camera 2indication, an engage or disengage camera 3, . . . and an engage ordisengage camera n indication. In some embodiments, the event engine 322may output camera control indications (e.g., event data) based on realtime (or near real time) game activity (e.g., ball location datasuggests that the ball is closest to a known field of view for camera 4and, thus, an engage camera 4 indication is transmitted to the cameracontrol system 344). In other embodiments, the event engine 322 mayoutput camera control indications (e.g., event data) based in part on aprediction of game activity (e.g., ball position, acceleration, anddirection data suggests that the ball has just left the quarterback'shand and is being passed along a direction and at a velocity indicativeof being caught in the field of view of camera 4 and, thus, an engagecamera 3 indication is transmitted to the camera control system 344). Inother embodiments, the camera control system 344 may provide indicationssuch as to tilt, pan, or zoom in connection with a particular camerabased on event data or predicted actions, or set a location or point ofview based on where a player, formation, or play may be best viewed.

In one embodiment, the event engine 322 outputs an event data stream tothe team analytics engine 346 that may be used to generate real time (ornear real time) analytics (e.g., player performance information,formation performance information, play performance information, andteam performance information) concerning game activity that may beuseful to individual teams. For example, in one embodiment, the teamanalytics engine 346 may use event data to determine actual gameperformance versus playbook design including, without limitation, anevaluation of player routes, offensive, defensive, and special teamsformations, offensive blocking protection schemes, defensive blitzingschemes, and the like.

In another embodiment, the team analytics engine 346 may use event datato determine actual game performance versus historical game performance(such as by using historical data store 336) including, withoutlimitation, an evaluation of game performance (e.g., player, team,offense, defense, special teams, etc.) versus prior year performance,prior game performance, prior quarter performance, prior possessionperformance, prior play performance, and the like. In this regard, aswill be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the team analyticsengine 346 may be used to evaluate performance (e.g., the left tacklehas missed three assignments), identify trends (e.g., the defensive teamconsistently sends a linebacker blitz against a spread offensiveformation), make player substitutions (e.g., a second string left tacklehas performed better historically against the right end of the defenseand thus should be substituted for the starting left tackle), revisegame plans, or provide alerts (e.g., the flanker has experiencedsignificantly reduced speed, acceleration, and performance followingbeing tackled and thus an alert should be generated to the trainingstaff to ensure that such player is medically evaluated).

For example, in one embodiment, a trainer may have a device, such as ahandheld device, tablet, etc., that may receive alerts regarding aparticular player. The trainer may receive background information and/orpast information on a player as well as what change the system hasidentified to cause the alert, such as a change in gait, slower routerunning, etc. The trainer may then be able to evaluate the player andprovide input to the system regarding the player evaluation, such as inan instance in which further attention is required, or in an instance inwhich the player can return to play. In some embodiments, such alert andevaluation results may also be provided to the league analysis system,such as for use in determining injury trends or the like.

In some embodiments, the team analytics engine 346 may be used to alerta team (e.g., coaches) to focus on specific players who are performingsub-par versus their normal (historical) performance, such as by playsor by teams. In some embodiments, the team analytics engine 346 mayfurther output analysis results to the historical data store 336 or thelike, for use in future analysis and/or the building or updating ofvarious models.

In one embodiment, the performance and analytics system is configured toevaluate player performance by correlating at least one tag to theplayer; receiving blink data (and other tag derived data) transmitted bythe at least one tag; determining tag location data based on the blinkdata; receiving player role data; comparing the tag location data toplayer dynamics/kinetics models based at least in part on the playerrole data; determining player location data based on the comparing thetag location data to the player dynamics/kinetics models; anddetermining player performance information based on comparing the playerlocation data to stored player location data. In some embodiments, thestored player location data may be stored to the historical data store336 and may include player location data for the actual player to beevaluated (e.g., Frank Smith, left tackle, #55) and/or player locationdata for another player (e.g., Fred Johnson, left tackle, #65) who playsa similar position to the actual player to be evaluated. In still otherembodiments, the stored player location data may include competitivedata based on the performance of the actual player against an opposingplayer (e.g., the left tackle blocked the right defense end successfullyin five prior match-ups, the defensive back caused a delay by the widereceiver of 2 seconds in running a passing route by applying presscoverage, etc.).

In another embodiment, the performance and analytics system isconfigured to evaluate official performance by correlating at least onetag to the official; receiving blink data (and other tag derived data)transmitted by the at least one tag; determining tag location data basedon the blink data; receiving official role data; comparing the taglocation data to official dynamics/kinetics models based at least inpart on the official role data; determining official location data basedon the comparing the tag location data to the official dynamics/kineticsmodels; and determining official performance information based oncomparing the official location data to stored official location data.In some embodiments, the stored official location data may be stored tothe historical data store 336 and may include official location data forthe actual official to be evaluated and/or official location data foranother official who held a similar position (e.g., referee, umpire,etc.) to the actual official to be evaluated.

In one embodiment, the event engine 322 outputs an event data stream tothe league analytics engine 348 that may be used to generate real time(or near real time) analytics concerning game activity that may beuseful to a league (i.e., a collection of teams). For example, in oneembodiment, the league analytics engine 348 may use event data toimprove game safety by identifying injury trends (e.g., playerconcussions occur at a higher rate when an offensive team runs crossingpassing routes from a spread formation against a 3-4 defense, etc.). Inanother embodiment, the league analytics engine 348 may use event datato evaluate rule changes (e.g., a rule change intended to speed up gameplay is or is not achieving its intended result). In still anotherembodiment, the league analytics engine 348 may use event data toimprove officiating (e.g., determining the accuracy of official calls).In some embodiments, the league analytics engine 348 may further outputanalysis results to the historical data store 336 or the like, for usein future analysis and/or the building or updating of various models.

In one embodiment, the event engine 322 outputs an event data stream tothe statistics engine 350 that may be used to generate real time (ornear real time) statistics concerning game activity. Such statistic datamay include, without limitation, offensive statistics (e.g., passing,rushing, receiving, turnovers, touchdowns scored, etc.), defensivestatistics (e.g., tackles, sacks, interceptions, turnovers generated,etc.), special teams statistics (e.g., punt length, punt hang time,average return, long return, field goal accuracy, etc.), play diagrams,length of play statistics (e.g., 4.8 second average play, 22 secondaverage pre-snap formation period, etc.), player participationstatistics (e.g., John Smith participation in 42 of 68 offensive plays,etc.), summary statistics (e.g., top scorers, fantasy points, minutes onoffense, etc.), official statistics (e.g., penalties called, locationtracking diagrams per play, etc.) and the like. In some embodiments, thestatistics engine 350 may further output statistics and results to thehistorical data store 336 or the like, for use in future analysis and/orthe building or updating of various models.

In one embodiment, the event engine 322 outputs an event data stream tothe XML feed and/or instant messaging feed engine 352 that may be usedto generate XML or instant messaging data streams that may include livedata such as plays, scoring plays, other scoring info, results, topscorers, summary statistics, or the like.

In one embodiment, the event engine 322 may output an event stream thatmay be used to annotate or tag a game recording, for example, usingvisualization system 340, game operations system 342, or the like. Forexample, in one embodiment, the event engine 322 may flag, tag, orannotate certain events (e.g., plays, penalties, formations, clockstart/stop, etc.) into a video recording or live data stream of a gamefor later playback or analysis. In some embodiments, any eventidentified by the event engine 322 may be flagged, tagged, or annotatedto a video or other data stream to provide for ease of lateridentification. In this regard, various events may be readily searched,identified, stored to a database in an indexed way, and/or analyzed.

In some embodiments, the event engine 322 may determine events occurringproximate one or more play boundaries. For example, using outputs fromthe player dynamics engine 306, the ball engine 330, and the officialdynamics engine 324 the event engine 322 may determine that a touchdownhas been scored (i.e., a player has carried the ball across a goalboundary into the end zone). In particular, the event engine 322 maydetermine that a running back carried the ball (based on location datareceived from the ball engine and the player dynamics engine) across thegoal boundary (based on field data), which was confirmed by the nearestofficial signaling touchdown by raising both arms (based on locationdata received from the official dynamics engine).

In some embodiments, the event engine 322 may output an event datastream to a historical data store/engine 336, which may store datagenerated by the various processing engines over time. The historicaldata store/engine 336 may be accessed by various systems, such as foruse in providing analytics or generating new models. For example,historical data store/engine 336 may provide historical data to modelgeneration engine 338, which the model generation engine 338 may use inlearning (or developing) new play or formation models that should beadded to the respective model databases. In some embodiments, thehistorical data store/engine 336 may be accessed by the analytics andstatistics systems to generate more in-depth analytics or statistics. Insome embodiments, the historical data store 336 may comprise prior eventand tag derived data received by the system for each individual player(e.g., John Smith) and may also comprise player data received from othersources, such as from manual input tools (i.e., such as using a form ortemplate) or external data sources (e.g., other statistics databases,etc.).

In some embodiments, the event engine 322 may output an event datastream that may be used in conjunction with historical results, such asfrom historical data store 336, for determining odds for outcomes ofvarious team matchups. For example, the event data stream and historicalevent data may be analyzed to generate and/or change predicted odds foroutcomes of each play, etc., which may be used in a wagering system orthe like.

In some embodiments, the team analytics system 346 may provide aninterface tool (i.e., perhaps through the model generation engine 338)configured to allow a team to input future plays (i.e., a game plan).Such future plays may be tested against historical data stored to thehistorical data store 336 in order to determine a probability forsuccess. For example, the team analytics system 346 may be configured toallow a team to virtually test an individual play intended to be runfrom a given offensive formation against defenses that were historicallyrun against such offensive formation. As will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure, the team analyticssystem 346 may be configured to allow a team to virtually test its gameplan against another team, specific players, specific formations,specific blocking protections, specific blitz packages, specific weatherconditions, and the like.

In one embodiment, the team analytics system 346, or any other engine orsystem, may be configured with access security controls (e.g., passwordprotection schemes, etc.) sufficient to limit access to team proprietarydata (e.g., game plan information, player injury data, etc.) toindividual teams. In this regard, game integrity may be preserved byensuring that proprietary data of a first team is not obtained by acompeting second team.

In some embodiments, the event engine 322 and its corresponding outputsystems (i.e., the visualization system 340, the game operations system342, the camera control system 344, the team analytics system 346, theleague analytics system 348, the statistics system 350, the XML feed/IMfeed system 352, and the historical data store/engine 336) may beconfigured to provide different levels of specificity for the outputdata. For example, an individual team may receive output data breakingdown the specific details for each play and the player dynamics for theplay, such that the team may determine the performance of each player inexecuting the specifics of a play versus an intended design. Incontrast, similar yet less detailed output may be provided to all teamssuch as basic play diagrams and standard statistics for the players.

In some embodiments, one or more of the engines shown in FIG. 3, suchas, without limitation, the team formation engine, the play engine, theevent engine, or the like, may output lists or ranked lists of probableoutput events (e.g., locations, formations, plays, events, etc.) fordisplay to a user via a graphical user interface (e.g., PC, tablet,mobile device, etc.) and/or for use by downstream engines or systems. Inother embodiments, the above described engines may select from theranked list of probable events a most probable event, or more simply a“probable event” (e.g., probable location, probable formation, probableplay, probable blocking technique, probable passing route, etc.), thateither has the highest probability indicator among the ranked list orhas a probability indicator above a pre-defined threshold.

In some embodiments, the user may validate or confirm an output event(e.g., a location, a formation, a play, or an event) to improve systemoperation. For example, in one embodiment, the event engine 322 maydetermine that the following events may have occurred each with arespective probability indicator shown in parenthesis: completed pass—12yard gain for the offense (68%); completed pass—10 yard gain for theoffense (21%); incomplete pass—0 yard gain for the offense (19%). Thisranked list may be displayed to an official via a mobile device who mayselect and confirm the correct output event, which in this example isthe completed pass for a 12 yard gain for the offense. In this regard,as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of thisdisclosure, the system may employ a user to break ties or close calls(e.g., probabilities within 10 percent, etc.) or to improve the accuracyof models, input weighting allocations, and the like.

In still other embodiments, the performance and analytics system maydetermine or predict participant locations, formations, plays, or otherevents despite temporary or sustained losses of blink data for one ormore tags (e.g., due to transmission failures associated with multipatheffects, line-of-sight blockages, etc.). For example, in one embodiment,the performance and analytics system: receives first tag location datafor a first participant (e.g., a ball carrier) during a first timeperiod (e.g., an in-play period representing the first 3 seconds of aplay); receives subsequent first tag location data for the firstparticipant during a second time period (e.g., a second in-play periodrepresenting the second 3 seconds of a play); receives second taglocation data for a second participant (e.g., the ball carried by theball carrier) during the first time period; and determines (or predicts)subsequent second tag location data for the second participant duringthe second time period based at least on: the first tag location datafor the first participant during the first time period, the subsequentfirst tag location data for the first participant during the second timeperiod, and the second tag location data for the second participantduring the first time period.

The above determination or prediction may be further improved using tagderived data and sensor derived data. For example, the performance andanalytics system may receive first sensor derived data (e.g.,time-of-flight sensor data or other tag and sensor derived datasuggestive of a relative proximity between the first participant and thesecond participant) for the first participant during the first timeperiod; receive subsequent first sensor derived data for the firstparticipant during the second time period; and determine the subsequentsecond tag location data for the second participant during the secondtime period further based at least on: the first sensor derived data forthe first participant during the first time period, and the subsequentfirst sensor derived data for the first participant during the secondtime period.

In still other embodiments, the above determination or prediction ofsecond participant location may be improved by comparing participantlocation at various times to formation and/or play models. Suchcomparisons may further include field data, and participant role data.For example, in an instance in which we maintain the above examplewhereby the first participant is a ball carrier and the secondparticipant is a ball, the performance and analytics system maydetermine or predict the location of the ball (i.e., in circumstances inwhich tag or sensor transmissions from the ball are blocked) during apre-snap period by determining that the ball carrier is aligned in astationary location in the backfield. By comparing such ball carrierlocation data to formation models, the system may determine that theball is most likely positioned at the line of scrimmage proximate thecenter.

Similarly, in another embodiment, perhaps where the first participant isa quarterback and the second participant is a left guard, theperformance and analytics system may determine or predict the locationof the left guard in any given play or time period based upon comparingmovements of the quarterback to formation and play models. For example,quarterback movement from a snap position to a drop back passingposition may be suggestive that the left guard is positioned in a passblocking position proximate the line of scrimmage. Alternatively,quarterback movement from a snap position to a hand-off position may besuggestive that the left guard is positioned up field of the line ofscrimmage in a run blocking position.

In another embodiment, blink data is sent from the tags 102 and receivedby the receivers 106. The receivers 106 send the blink data to thereceiver hub 108 or locate engine 302.

Exemplary System for Collecting Sporting Event Data

FIG. 5 illustrates a system diagram for collecting sporting event dataaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 500comprising a receiver processing and distribution system 510, a supportcenter 530, and a data center 540 illustrating three distinct locationswhere various elements of the system 500 may be located. In otherexamples, all elements of the system 500 may be in the receiverprocessing and distribution system 510, the support center 530 or thedata center 540. In yet further examples, individual elements may bedisplaced from their current locations. For example, the visualizationand model engine 517 may be in the data center 540. In other examplesone or more elements may be remote, such as in a cloud storage, storedat a headquarters and/or the like.

In some examples, and as shown in one example in FIG. 1 ultra wide band(UWB) tags 102, receivers 106, a receiver hub 108 may be incommunication with receiver processing and distribution system 510.Additionally or alternatively, a UWB radio frequency (RF) wand 511 mayalso be in communication with receiver processing and distributionsystem 510. The receiver processing and distribution system 510comprises a tag manager 512, a support and diagnostics engine 513, localdata storage 514, a filter and analytics engine 515, an event locationgraphics user interface (GUI) 516, and a visualization and model engine517 may also be present at an event location. The support center 530 maycomprise, in some examples, a support and diagnostics GUI 532. The datacenter 540 may comprise, in some examples, a data storage database 542and a tag identification database 544.

The UWB RF wand (RF Wand) 511 may be in wired or wireless datacommunication with the tag manager 512. The RF wand 511 may be a lowfrequency short range transceiver. As such, the tag manager 512 may beconfigured to communicate with the tags 102 using the RF wand 511. Thecommunications using the RF wand 511 may be uni-directional orbi-directional, such communications configured for various purposesincluding without limitation, detecting (e.g., identifying the presenceof one or more tags 102 within a defined area), activating (e.g.,causing a tag 102 to transmit blink data at a specified interval),adjusting (e.g., causing a tag 102 to transmit at a different blinkrate, or blink data interval), deactivating (e.g., causing the tag 102to cease transmission of blink data), diagnosing deficiencies (e.g.,access or otherwise receive fault information, log files and/or thelike), or the like. Further, the tag manager 512 and RF wand 511 may beused in the process of correlating a tag 102 to a specified participantplayer or object as described in FIG. 7.

In some example embodiments, the tag manager 512 may take the form of apersonal data assistant (PDA), smart phone, tablet computer, laptopcomputer, or the like in order for it to be a portable or semi portabledevice that travels to a particular location with RF wand 511. In otherexamples, the tag manager 512 may act as a module or engine within thereceiver processing and distribution system 510 and may be in datacommunication with the RF Wand 511 that is in such cases configured toperform various functions otherwise described herein as performed by thetag manager 512.

Additionally or alternatively, a proximity communication exciter, suchas a low frequency transceiver, may be configured to communicate withtags for detection, activation, deactivation, or adjustment, or thelike, in a manner substantially similar to the RF wand 511. Theproximity communications exciter may generate a magnetic field for aknown area. For example, the proximity communication exciter may belocated at or rear the exit of a locker room to the field of play,activating or adjusting blink rates of tags mounted to participants asthey go to the field. In another example, a proximity communicationsexciter may be placed on or near a bench, deactivating or adjustingblink rates of participants which are not on the field to conserve tagbattery life.

The tag manger 512 may enable the creation of registration data and orchanging of such registration data, as discussed in FIGS. 7 and 11.Registration data may be data used to identify the assignment of a tagto a participant and status of the tag. Registration data may includewithout limitation, a participant identifier, a tag-individualcorrelator, a tag UID, tag status, or the like, linked to an identifierof an object or participant. Tag status may be a condition of a tag,such as active, e.g. transmitting blink data, deactivated, e.g. nottransmitting blink data, or transmitting blink data at a low blink rate,mounted, e.g. attached to the participant, registered, e.g. assigned toa participant, or the like.

In further examples, the tag manager 512 may be in wireless or wiredcommunication with the support and diagnostic engine 513, whereas inother example embodiments the tag manager may embody the support anddiagnostic engine 513. The support and diagnostics engine 513 may beconfigured to receive registration data and/or changes to registrationdata from the tag manager 512. Such registration data may be received inreal time when a change is detected, at a predetermined interval and/orthe like.

The support and diagnostics engine 513 may be in wired or wirelesscommunication with the registration database 544. The support anddiagnostic engine 513 may receive or otherwise access the registrationdata from the registration database 544 as sent by the filter andanalytics engine 515. The registration database 544 is thereforeconfigured to store and/or otherwise synchronize registration data forevent use (e.g., to enable the application of a participant or objectidentification to a particular calculated position within a field ofplay). The support and diagnostic engine 513 monitors and analyzesvarious tag derived data including diagnostic data packets or“D-packets” sent, which may include a diagnostic error code, in someexamples, by the receiver hub 108. The support and diagnostic engine 513may output system status information to a support and diagnostics GUI532 of the support center 530.

The support and diagnostics GUI 513 may display system statusesincluding, without limitation, initialization diagnostics and status,operational diagnostics, reference tag status, receiver status, receiverhub status, player participant tag status, object participant tagstatus, or the like as discussed, for example, in FIGS. 17 and 20.

In some embodiments the support and diagnostic GUI 532 may display orotherwise cause the display of alerts based on a change to a playerparticipant dynamics, such as gate, speed, non-linear travel, or thelike as discussed, for example, in FIG. 25.

The support and diagnostics engine 513 may send registration data to thetag manager(s) 512 to track changes of tag status during activation,deactivation, replacement, or the like, as discussed in FIG. 7. Thesupport and diagnostics engine 513 may synchronize the registrationdatabase with current registration data information. At the completionof the event or at another predetermined time or interval, the supportand diagnostics engine 513 may upload the last event registration datato the registration database 544. The registration database 544 mayreceive the current registration data and synchronize the currentregistration data with the prior registration data or portion of theevent registration data.

The filter and analytics engine 515 may request and receive or otherwiseaccess the registration data for an event from the registration database544 as described in FIG. 7. Event registration data may include, but isnot limited to, portions of the registration data for the teams expectedto participate in the event. The filter and analytics engine 515 maysend or otherwise cause the event registration data to be sent to thesupport and diagnostic engine 513.

In further examples, any of the filter and analytics engine 515 and/orsupport and diagnostics engine 513 may cause data to be stored in thelocal data storage 541 including without limitation, registration data,tag location data, diagnostic information, raw data files, filtered datafiles, or the like. Such a local storage may, in some examples, bebacked up or otherwise synchronized with a remote server, a cloudstorage, or the like.

In some examples, the receiver hub 108 may output data packets to thefilter and analytics engine 515 and to the support and diagnosticsengine 513. The output data packets are further discussed, for example,in FIG. 20. The receiver hub 108 may output tag location data or“T-packets”, in an instance in which a tag location has been calculatedfrom the tag blink data. The receiver hub 108 may output a tag deriveddata, “P-packets”, in an instance in which the receiver hub has receivedtag blink data, but a location calculation was not possible (e.g., in aninstance in which tag blink data is received by less than apredetermined number of receivers 106). The tag derived P-packed mayinclude the tag UID, but no location data. The receiver hub 108 mayoutput a tag derived data, D-packet, in an instance in which adiagnostic error code is included in the packet. The diagnostic errorcode may be derived from the blink data or may be generated by one ormore of receivers 106 and/or receiver hub 108. See e.g., FIG. 20.

In some embodiments, the filter and analytics engine 515 generatesmultidimensional (e.g., a two dimensional location, a three dimensionallocation or the like) player location data per unit time of each tag asdiscussed in detail in FIG. 28. The filter and analytics engine 515 mayreceive tag location data packets (T-packets) from the receiver hub 108.The filter and analytics engine 515 may parse the tag location data bydata fields and map the locations data for each tag generatingmultidimensional player location data per unit time.

Alternatively or additionally, the filter and analytics engine 515 mayapply various filters to the generated multidimensional player locationdata per unit time including without limitation, dismissing compromisedaccuracy tag events, missed tag event blink adjustments, pop tag eventblink adjustments, tag-tag offset, output to a television broadcast, orthe like as described, for example, in FIG. 29. The filter and analyticsengine 515 may cause raw or filtered data files to be stored in a localdata storage 514 or the data storage 542 of the data center 540. Thefilter and analytics engine 515 may output the multidimensional playerlocation data per unit time to the visualization and model engine 517.

In some examples, the visualization and model engine 517 may create avisualization of multidimensional player location data per unit time asdescribed, for example, in FIG. 31. The visualization and model enginemay also cause the visualization to be displayed on the event locationGUI 516. The visualization and model engine 517 may cause thevisualization to be stored in local data storage 514, the data storage542, and/or the like.

Although this description makes reference to primarily to playerparticipant tags management, data filter, analysis, storage, andvisualization other tags or sensors including, without limitation, linepost, reference tag, or heath sensors, object tags, or the like, may bemanaged, filtered, analyzed, stored, and visualized as described herein.

Exemplary Process for Registration of a Location Tag to a Participant

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart for an exemplary process of registeringlocation tags to a participant. A tag manager (e.g. tag manager 512shown in FIG. 5) may be used to manage the tags (e.g. tags 102 as shownin FIG. 1), such as, registration to a specified player, mounting oftags to participants, and tag status (e.g. active, not-active, ordamaged/replacement). A tag manager 512 may be used to complete some orall of 702, 704, 706, 708 and/or 712 receiving of participant tag data.Alternatively a computing device with registration data may be populatedindependent of the tag manager 512.

In some examples, each player participant from each team may be assignedat least two tags 102. Each tag 102 may be marked with a tagidentification. The tag identification may include a team code, playernumber, and location data, for example “SEA-34L” would represent theSeattle Chipmunks, jersey number 34, left shoulder pad. The tag 102 ortags may be physically attached to a participant, for example theshoulder pads of a player as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 6.

In some examples, the locations for attaching the tag 102 to theparticipant comprise without limitation, shoulder pads, helmet, shoes,jersey, gloves, wristbands, belt, or the like. The method of attachingthe tag 102 to the participant comprise, without limitation, glue,sewing, hook and pile, buttons, molding, clipping, zip tie, or the like.In American football at least two tags 102 are attached to the shoulderpads as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 15. The tags 102 may be attached tothe participant in a manner to ensure that the placement is safe for theparticipant and tag 102, dependent on the manufacture of the equipmentto which the tag is to be attached. Preferably, attaching of tags 102 isperformed several days before the team's first event or game. The tags102 are maintained on the participants or equipment for the duration ofthe season, with the exception of replacement of damaged tags. The tagmanger 512 may simultaneously receive an indication of a change ofstatus to “attached” and correlate the tag UID to the registration datafor a tag attachment at block 706.

At block 702, registration data is generated by entering or receivingvarious participant and tag information including without limitation,tag UID, team data, participant data, tag identification, tag-individualcorrelator, tag status, or the like. The team data may be received orotherwise accessed by tag manager 512 and entered into registrationdata. Team data may comprise, without limitation team name, team code,stadium name, stadium city, stadium state, region, league, or the like.Team data may be searched or filtered by team name, stadium name,region, league, or the like. Team data entries may be edited by, addinga team, updating an existing team, or deleting a team. Other methods ofcorrelation, such as by position, role, sport, activity, association orthe like may be used in some examples. The registration data may becreated well in advance of the game or season or may be entered inreal-time or near real-time, by a data entry operator, based on opticalcharacter recognition (OCR) of a received video, a readable tag, orother means of identifying a participant and the association of saidparticipant.

The participant data or team roster may be received by the tag manager512 and entered into registration data, remote storage or the like.Participant data may comprise, without limitation team name, team code,player name, player number, tag identification (e.g., tag UID) assignedto left shoulder, tag identification assigned to right shoulder, or thelike. Participant data may be searched or filtered by team name, teamidentification, player number, player name, player position, or thelike. Participant data entries may be edited by addingplayers/participants, updating an existing player, deleting a player,associating a tag, dissociating a tag, or the like. In an instance inwhich a participant data is associated with a tag 102, a deletion may beallowed, but a prompt may be included indicating an activate tagassociation. In some examples, in an instance in which the user selects“yes” the participant and tag data are deleted, in an instance in whichthe user selects “no” the data may not be allowed to be deleted.

The tag identification data may be received by the tag manager 512 andentered into registration data. The tag identification may be the tagUID or may be generated by the tag manager 512 and then may be linked orotherwise correlated to the tag UID. Tag identification may be searchedor filtered by tag code, team code, player number, tag position, or thelike. Tag identification is preferably automatically generated by theentry of participant data.

Alternatively, tag data may be entered or edited by adding a tag 102,updating an existing tag, or deleting a tag. When tag identification hasbeen generated and entered into the registration file the tag status maybe “registered”. Registering the tag 102 in the registration datagenerates a tag-individual correlator (e.g., by linking a tag UID to aparticipant in the data store) in the registration data. Tag statusvalues may be beneficial to the registration data for tracking of theinstallation of tags 102 on participants, multiple tag registration, ormultiple tag activation. Tag status may also be beneficial whenactivating or registering tags 102 with a mobile device withoutconductivity to update the registration data, in such cases the statuswould be helpful in synchronizing the updated tag status to theregistration data.

In some examples, the tag 102 may include a tag identification inaddition to a tag UID. The tag identification may comprise, withoutlimitation, a team code, player number, and location assignment, forexample “SEA-34L” would represent the Seattle Chipmunks, jersey number34, left shoulder pad. Instead of electronically storing the tagidentification in the tag, the tag identification may be affixed to thetag 102 by writing or printed sticker or other durable labeling methodas illustrated in FIG. 8 so that it can be identified by a useractivating a RF wand. Alternatively, the labels may be placed on bags,each bag having two tags 102, each tag being labeled with a participantlocation, such as L or R, indicating left or right shoulder pad. Thetags 102 with labels are placed in a box, as illustrated in FIG. 8, andtransferred to the location to mount the tags. Preferably, tags 102assigned to the same player are stored in close proximity to each other,and tags assigned to different teams would be placed in separatecontainers. The containers may be labeled with the team assignment;individual tag storage sites may also be labeled. The tags 102 may bemounted at a central site, but in some examples, the tags be mounted atthe event location and placed in locations specified for eachparticipant. For example, the tags 102 when attached to shoulder padsmay be placed in a player specific locker, thus preventing or minimizingtags being used by the incorrect participant.

At block 704, tag attachment may be optionally verified, such as byusing location, proximity detection or the like. At block 706, anindication status change indication is received and the tag UID iscorrelated to the registration data. The tag manager 512 may receive astatus change indication e.g. attachment of a tag 102 by selection of“tag attachment” or other indication that signals the tag 102 isattached and then specify the type of participant that the tag is beingattached, (e.g. player, reference tag, health tag, down marker, or thelike), as illustrated in FIG. 10. A participant may be selected from theentered participant data by a search or lists. Once a participant datais selected a barcode scanner may be used in communication with the tagmanager 512 to scan the tag UID. The tag UID may be located on the taglabel in ISO format, meaning that the tag label will contain a 48-bithex value the first 6 bits may be a validation value, while theremaining 32 bits may be the tag UID. The tag UID is validated byverifying the validation value, (e.g. first three digits 0003) andconverted to a specified format for storage in the registration data.The tag manger 512 correlates the tag UID to the tag-individualcorrelator of the registration data. Additional methods of scanning ordetecting may also be used, such as but not limited to, near fieldcommunication, Bluetooth, accessing a passive RFID tag and/or receivingthe tag information through a location system and correlating a locationof a tag with a received tag UID, such as the system of FIG. 1, or thelike.

At block 708, the registration file is updated for the change in tagstatus. The tag manager 512 updates the tag status of the registrationdata to “attached” or “mounted.” Alternatively or additionally, tag(s)102 may be attached to a participant and then update the registrationfile by selecting the team and player number or name and selecting“Attached” in the tag manager 512 as illustrated in FIG. 9. In aninstance in which the update is successful the tag manager 512 maydisplay a “success” icon for two seconds, blank the player number anddisable the attach button, until the next valid player number isentered. In an instance in which the update fails (e.g. player numbernot recognized, or tags previously associated with player), the tagmanager 512 may cause an error message to display (e.g. player numbernot recognized), the attach button to be disabled, and/or two buttons toappear; “cancel or “override”. Selecting cancel may blank the playernumber and return to the tag attachment screen in an instance in whichthe user can enter the correct number. Override may record the tagassociation with “override” in the tag code location. Alternatively, thetag manager 512 may be configured to request entry of the missing data,(e.g. tag code left, and tag code right.) This request may be done inthe attachment screen or in a separate screen. Alternatively oradditionally, verifying attachment may not be necessary in someexamples.

In an instance in which a user attempts to update the registration datafor attachment of a tag 102 with participant data for the same taglocation, the registration update may not be allowed, a warning may beissued or the like. The user will be prompted or otherwise notified thatthere is an existing tag 102 attached at that location and in aninstance in which the user requests to override. To replace the existingtag UID attached at the location and the tag-individual correlator inthe registration data the user selects “yes,” in an instance in which“no” is selected the attachment and registration data update is notperformed. In an instance in which a tag's 102 registration data hasbeen updated for attachment of the tag status may be “mounted” or“attached.”

Alternatively or additionally, an RF wand, such as RF wand 511 as shownin FIG. 5, may be used in communication with a computer or mobile devicerunning or otherwise in communication with the tag manager 512 to readthe tag UID. The RF wand 511 may be passed two to eighteen inches, insome examples, from the tags 102. The RF wand 511 may receive the tagUID and then may communicate the tag UID to the tag manager 512. Thecorrelation of tags 102 to participants with the RF wand 511 may beperformed in the same or similar manner as the bar code reader, asdiscussed above.

In alternative example embodiments the association of tags 102 toparticipants is performed in conjunction with labeling the tag 102 witha tag identifier. Each tag identifier may be selected and a tag 102updated as attached to a participant in the registration data, using abarcode reader or RF wand 511 in communication with the tag manager 512as discussed above.

A player list function may be used on the tag manager 512. The playerlist may show, in some examples, the team name and team code, the playernumbers, the attachment status, and/or the like. The player statusfunction provides easy identification of which tags 102 have and havenot been updated as attached in the registration data.

In some examples, a tag 102 may be dissociated from participant locationby selecting a participant and a tag location and selecting dissociateor registering a new tag for an existing participant. A tag 102 may alsobe disassociated, in some examples, when the entry for the team orplayer is deleted, this may also cause a gap in the registration data.In an instance in which a tag 102 has been disassociated from aparticipant the tag status may be “unregistered.” Removal of a record ordeletion may implement the status of “damaged” or “unregistered.”

In an instance in which attachment of the tag 102 would prevent viewingthe tag code label for tag verification purposes, receiving an statuschange indication 706 and updating the registration data 708 may beperformed before verifying attachment of a tag 704.

At block 710, the registration data may be synchronized and caused to bestored in the local data storage 514 or other accessible storage. Thetag manager 512 may cause the registration data to be stored in a localdata storage (e.g. local data storage 514 as shown in FIG. 5), which maybe in communication with the filter and analytics engine 515 and/or thesupport and diagnostics engine 513. The tag manager 512 may be used toupdate the registration data either at the location of tag 102manipulation, at a control location, at a central site and/or the like.The local data storage 514 may store all registration data during theinitial tag 102 registration process. The tag 102 registration processcomprises, without limitation, assigning one or more tags to eachparticipant, labeling each tag with a tag identification (e.g., using aphysical label, using a tag UID in memory, or the like), verifying oneor more tags are attached to participants, associating the tag 102 tothe participant, updating the registration data, or the like. The localdata storage 514 may use a file drop method, a synchronization, aredline or the like to receive and synchronize the new registration datawith previous versions in an instance in which the new file is a portionof the existing entries, or only synchronizes manipulated entries. Theregistration data updates a “last updated” field each time the tagchanges status comprising date and time of the last change to thespecified tag registration data.

At block 712, the registration data is received, in some examples, byregistration database (e.g. registration database 544 as shown in FIG.5) of the data center (e.g. data center 540 of FIG. 5). In alternativeembodiment the registration data may be received by a data storage (e.g.data storage 524 as shown in FIG. 5). A server at a centralized locationmay serve as the registration database 544 during operation. Once theinitial tag 102 registration process has been completed the registrationdata may be imported into data storage 524, registration database 544 orother shared/accessible memory. The importation of the registration datamay be accomplished through a dedicated report that can be extractedfrom the local data storage 514 as a Comma Separated Values (CSV) file,or the like, on demand, as a scheduled event, or the like. In thealternative, partial or manipulated registration data may be receivedand synchronized with the prior registration data to maintain theregistration database 544 registration data.

Stadium or other area location registration data may include theregistration data specific to reference tags (e.g. reference tags 104 asshown in FIG. 1), down markers, field markers, health tags, or the likeat a specified location. As such, certain objects may be determined tobe a in a fixed location and thus would not need to be shared outside ofa particular location registration data, data store, or the like. Astadium registration data may be stored in the local data storage 514. Acopy of the stadium registration data may be uploaded, received, and/orsynchronized by the registration database 544 after each manipulation.

Exemplary Process for Creating an Event Registration Data File

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary process for creating anevent registration data store, data file or the like. The eventregistration data is preferably created at the completion of a priorevent, or prior to the start of the scheduled event, during pre-eventpreparations and/or the like. At block 1102, the filter and analyticsengine (e.g. filter and analytics engine 515 as shown in FIG. 5) mayreceive stadium registration data from the local data storage (e.g.local data storage 514 as shown in FIG. 5) and verify the stadiumregistration data (e.g., verify the data is current, verify accuracyand/or the like). In an instance in which the stadium registration datais not current, the filter and analytics engine 515 may receive from theregistration database (e.g. registration database 544 as shown in FIG.5) the current stadium registration data.

At block 1104, the filter and analytics engine 515 may receive orotherwise be configured to select the teams participating in thescheduled event. In American football the filter and analytics engine515 may receive or otherwise select the home team and visiting team. Thefilter and analytics engine 515 may receive a team(s) registration datafile from the registration database 544, which is a subset of theregistration data, containing only the registration data for theselected team. In an instance in which the filter and analytics engine515 is unable to determine what teams are playing in the scheduledevent, the filter and analytics engine may receive the completeregistration data to allow for latter determination (e.g., based on oneor more tags 102 in a given area, based on user input, or the like). Insome examples, the team registration data may be described in JSONformat:

[  {  ″Season″: ″2013″,  ″GameNumber″: ″−5″,  ″HomeTeam″: {  ″name″:″49ers″,  ″code″: ″FRA″,  ″playerList″: [  {  ″name″: “Joe de Maggio”,″num″: 34  LEFT: { ″id″: “0034AD5”, “status: “r” },  RIGHT { ″id″:“0034BF2”, “status: “r” }  },  {  ″name″: “Joseph White”, ″num″: 23 LEFT: { ″id″: “0034F54”, “status: “r” },  RIGHT { ″id″: “0034F2B”,“status: “r” }  }  ]  },  ″HomeTeam″: {  ″name″: ″Ravens″,  ″code″:″ATL″,  ″playerList″: [  {  ″name″: “John Pecci”, ″num″: 9  LEFT: {″id″: “0034344”, “status: “r” },  RIGHT { ″id″: “0034BAA”, “status: “r”}  },  {  ″name″: “Ron Cavali”, ″num″: 54  LEFT: { ″id″: “0034FD8”,“status: “r” },  RIGHT { ″id″: “00341F0”, “status: “r” }  }  ]  }  } ]

The team registration data is preferably received and stored or isotherwise accessible to the local data storage 514 through a wirelessconnection for convenience, but may be downloaded through wiredconnection or portable media.

At block 1105, the tag manager (e.g. tag manager 512 as shown in FIG. 5)may receive the registration data from local data storage 514. The tagmanager 512 stores, in some examples, the registration data for use intag (e.g. tag 102 as shown in FIG. 5) activation, deactivation, statusmonitoring, and replacement. The tag manager 512 maintains a currentregistration data and notation of manipulated tag data entries, asdiscussed in FIG. 5.

At block 1106, additional participants may be added to the registrationdata. Preferably tag 102 is registered in advance by creatingregistration file as discussed in FIG. 7, but a particular tag orparticipant may be added prior to the event (e.g. during the season),during the event or at any time. In an instance in which the tag 102 hasnot been registered prior to the creation of the event registrationdata, new tags 102 may be added to each player added to the roster, buthas not been associated with tags. The additional participant is addedby generating registration data, for example as discussed in FIG. 7, andthe additional registration data is received and synchronized to boththe event registration data and the registration data. The tags 102 maybe attached and registered alone or may be combined with 1108 toactivate at completion of registration. Once the registration data andevent registration data have been updated for the new playerparticipant, the tag manager 512 may attach and/or correlate the tags102, for example as discussed in FIG. 7.

At block 1108, the player and object tags (e.g., tags 102 on said playeror object) may be activated with use of the RF wand (RF wand 511 asshown in FIG. 5) or other signaling means (e.g., a portal, RF activationpad, a fixed wand, or the like). Prior to the beginning of the event,preferably prior to players dressing out, tags 102 are activated, suchas by the RF wand 511. On the tag manager 512 “tag activation” may beselected from the function menu. The tag activation menu may allow theuser to select active or deactivate by selecting “A” or “D”. Activating,in some examples, may cause a green background and green activationbutton, as illustrated in FIG. 12. Deactivation may change thebackground and button, in some examples, to red to alert the user thatthey are about to deactivate tags.

At block 1110, the tag manger may receive a tag status changeindication. The RF wand 511 in communication with the tag manager 512may detect the tag status change to active, e.g. transmitting blinkdata, tag status change may be detected by one or more receivers (e.g.receivers 106 as shown in FIG. 1), and/or the like. The tag manager 512may correlate the tag UID to the tag-individual correlator of theregistration data. The RF wand 511 may detect tag discrepancies such aslow battery, or failure to respond and/or the like, and displays thediscrepancy on the display of the tag manager 512. Tags 102 may bereplaced, repaired, and/or new tags 102 registered as necessary toensure all participants have properly functioning tags. In an instancein which no discrepancies are detected the tag manager 512 updates thestatus of each activated tag 102 in the event registration data.

The player list view within the tag 102 activation function view, insome examples, may be selected as illustrated in FIG. 13. The playerlist view may show team status in the event registration data. The teamstatus indicates in an instance in which there are any conditions thatneed to be resolved in connection to a tag 102 assigned to a player onthat team. In an instance in which there is no deficient condition theteam status may indicate zero and have a green background. In aninstance in which there is a deficient condition the team status mayindicate a number of deficiencies and have a red back ground, thisallows for notification of deficient conditions when the player with thedeficiency would not appear on the screen and must be scrolled to view.The player list comprises, without limitation, player number, playername, player tag status, left tag transmission, right tag transmission,and battery status, as illustrated in FIG. 14. In an instance in whichthere is any deficient condition the status column may indicate a reddot to alert the user of the player with the deficiency for furtherinvestigation. The left and right tag status columns indicate batterylife and may, in some examples, be green in an instance in which above apredetermined value; yellow is lower than the first predetermined valueand higher than a second predetermined value; red in an instance inwhich below the second predetermined value; and grey in an instance inwhich unknown (e.g. no battery data received). The tag transmissionstatus may be indicated by a white tag with RF lines for transmitting,e.g. blinking, tags or a black tag without RF lines for anon-transmitting, e.g. non-blinking, or deactivated tag 102.

At block 1112, deficient tags 102 may be indicated as needing to bereplaced, such as by a participant, an assistant, or the like. After theactivation of the tags 102, in an instance in which a tag has adeficiency (e.g. low battery, not blinking, not able to communicate withthe RF wand 511, blinking at incorrect rate, physical damage, notproperly mounted to participant, lost or removed from participant, tagidentification removed or illegible, tag already attached with same ordifferent player, tag status “damaged,” or the like) is noted, the usermay use the tag replacement function to indicate a tag is to be replacethe tag (e.g., by causing a transmission to an equipment manager) andfurther flag the need for an update the event registration data and/ormonitor for a new tag in the monitored area. The detection andreplacement of deficient tags 102 may occur at activation, during theevent, or at de-activation. A new tag 102 may be mounted in the locationof the deficient tag. The old tag 102 may be removed or left in place tobe repaired at a later time.

One example interface for swapping a tag 102 may include a selectableteam name on the tag replacement window on the tag manager 512 (e.g., tofilter), as illustrated in FIG. 16. Said interface may include an inputbox for a player number. The location of the tag 102 may be selected,e.g. left or right shoulder, helmet, or the like. The RF wand 511 orother activation/deactivation device may be used to send and receive anactivation signal, receive tag status change indication, and correlatethe tag new tag UID with the tag-individual correlator data of theregistration file as discussed in 1108 and 1110. After the tag managerdetects the new tag 102, “activate new tag” may be selected. The tagmanager 512 may activate the new tag 102 and deactivate the old tag. Thetag manager 512 may display the status of the old tag 102 and new tag ina tag status field, which may be specific to the player and locationselected. Once the replacement is completed the tag manager 512 mayupdate the event registration data and/or the registration data in thelocal data storage 521.

At block 1114, the local data storage 521 may receive the registrationdata from the tag manager 512. The tag manager 512 may, in someexamples, record a transaction in the appropriate registration data foreach tag 102 assignment, tag activation, tag deactivation, tagreplacement, and new player added. The tag manager 512 may upload theregistration data through a wireless connection with the local datastorage in an instance in which connectivity is available. In aninstance in which connectivity is not available the tag manager 512 mayupload the registration data through a wired connection to the localdata storage 514 or may store the data until a connection is available.The received registration data is synchronized or otherwise updated withthe registration data stored in the local data storage 514 orregistration database 544.

At block 1116, the tags 102 may be deactivated and the tag manager 512may receive status change indication with the RF wand 511, indicatingthe tags are deactivated. In order to deactivate the tags, a “tagdeactivation” may be selected from the function menu on the tag manager512. The tag activation menu may allow the selection of active ordeactivate tags 102 by selecting “A” or “D”. The tag 102 or tags thatmay be in view of the RF wand 511 appear on the deactivation screen anddeactivation is commenced, in some examples, by selecting “Deactivatetags in view” or automatically after a predetermined time period.

In some examples, a warning message may be displayed to warn the userthat they will be deactivating tags 102 and in an instance in which theywish to continue, to prevent inadvertent deactivation. In an instance inwhich “yes” is selected, the tag manager 512 sends a signal through theRF wand 511 to deactivate each tag 102 (e.g. terminate blinktransmissions). In some example embodiments, the tag 102 may transmit adeactivation signal which may be received by the RF wand 511. In aninstance in which “no” is selected, the sensor menu returns to thedeactivation menu. FIG. 17 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplaryprocess for initialization of the system (e.g. system 500 as shown inFIG. 5). At block 1702, power is initialized to the receiver hub (e.g.receiver hub 108 as shown in FIG. 1). The power may be initialized byswitch, plug, or computer program. The receiver hub 108 may detectsystem configuration settings and detect receiver hub status duringinitialization.

At block 1704, a GUI (e.g. event location GUI 516 and/or support anddiagnostics GUI 532 as shown in FIG. 5) may be initialized and/orotherwise caused to display system initialization status. An example GUImay cause the display of a general status the system and/or of eachsubsystem as it initializes, such as the filter and analytics, locateanalyzer (receiver hub), or the like. The example GUI may also indicatea status icon color to indicate the status of a system duringinitialization on an initialization display as illustrated in FIG. 18.For example, Green may indicate fully initialized and ready, yellow mayindicate currently initializing with no detected errors, and red mayindicate errors detected. The example GUI may indicate the diagnosticerrors or tag derived data D-packets in a window in the initializationdisplay.

Alternatively or additionally, the example GUI may also cause thedisplay of the configuration data for each subsystem as illustrated inFIG. 19, on a configuration display and/or a visual indication of systemstatus.

At block 1706, the receiver hub 108 detects participant tags 102configuration and status. The receiver hub 108 may receive blink datafrom each tag that may include a tag UID. As is described herein, tagUID or other tag identified may be compared to the tag-individualcorrelator data of the registration data to determine in an instance inwhich all tags 102 are detected and/or whether each of the knownparticipants is detected. The receiver hub 108 may compare tag locationdata T-packets to the tag list, to determine in an instance in which alltags 102 have been located, are active, and are not indicating an erroror are otherwise not functioning correctly.

Various tag derived data D-packet or diagnostic packets may be output bythe receiver hub 108 during participant tag 102 initialization. The tagderived data D-packets that may be received during participant tag 102initialization comprise, without limitation and in some examples:

-   No Sensor detected—D,0,0,0,0,0,timestamp,DpacketID,‘Error: no    receiver detected’—Sent continuously until the error condition is    cleared.-   No Sensor enabled—D,0,0,0,0,0,timestamp,DpacketID,‘Error: no    receiver enabled’—Sent continuously until the error condition is    cleared.-   No Sensor activated—D,0,0,0,0,0,timestamp,DpacketID,‘Error: no    receiver’ Sent continuously until the error condition is cleared.-   Enabled Sensor detected—D,sen #,x,y,z,0,timestamp,DpacketID,‘Enabled    receiver detected’—The packet will be sent only once after a    receiver hub firmware restart.-   Enabled Sensor not detected—D,sen    #,x,y,z,0,timestamp,DpacketID,‘Warning: Enabled receiver not    detected’—The warning packet will be sent only once after a receiver    hub firmware restart.-   Unknown Sensor    detected—D,senID,0,0,0,0,timestamp,DpacketID,‘Warning: unknown    receiver’—This warning packet will be sent only once upon the    detection after a receiver hub firmware restart.

The tag derived data D-packets may be parsed into D-packet objectscomprising, without limitation, sensor/tag ID, float x, float y, floatz, reference tag ID, time, D-packet ID, character message, or the like.The tag derived data D-packet objects may be processed by updating a tagstatus and/or the like.

Tag location data T-packets may be output by the receiver hub 108comprising location data for a tag. Tag derived data P-packets may beoutput by the receiver hub 108 comprising a tag UID detectedinformation, but no location data. A tag derived data P-packet occurswhen a tag location cannot be determined, for example in an instance inwhich less than three receivers, e.g. receivers 106 as shown in FIG. 1,have detected the tag blink transmission.

At block 1708, the receiver hub 108 may detect configuration and statusfor the one or more reference tags (e.g. reference tag 104 as shown inFIG. 1). The receiver hub 108 may receive blink data from each of theone or more reference tags 104. Similar to tags 102, blink data fromreference tags 104 may include a tag UID which may be compared to thetag-individual correlator in the registration data to determine in aninstance in which all tags 104 are being detected. The receiver hub 108may be configured, in some examples, to verify each reference tag 104 isproperly configured e.g. blinking at the correct rate. Tag location dataT-packets are output from the receiver hub 108 for available referencetags 104 for which a location has been calculated. Reference taglocations and/or phase offset may be suspended (e.g. stored in memory)in some examples. A tag derived data P-packet, tag identification, ortag UID without a location data may be output in an instance in which atag 102 location cannot be determined, for example less than threereceivers 106 have detected the tag blink transmission.

In an example embodiment in which the receiver hub establishes suspendedreference phase offsets, the receiver hub may receive reference tagblink data, calculate a reference phase offset for each reference tag toreceiver pair, as described in FIG. 1, and generate a suspendedreference phase offset table which is stored to memory and used forsubsequent tag location calculations. Further examples of establishing asuspended reference phase offset are described in commonly owned U.S.Provisional Patent Application 62/008,298 filed on Jun. 5, 2014 which isincorporated herein in its entirety.

Various tag derived data D-packet may be output by the receiver hub 108during reference tag 104 initialization. The D-packets that may bereceived during reference tag initialization comprise, withoutlimitation,

-   No reference tag enabled—D,0,0,0,0,0,timestamp,DpacketID,‘Warning:    no reference tag enabled’—Reference tag not found.-   No virtual group enabled—D,0,0,0,0,0,timestamp,DpacketID,‘Warning:    no virtual group enabled’ This warning packet will be sent once    after a receiver hub firmware restart.

At block 1710, the receiver hub 108 may detect that virtual groups areconfigured. A virtual group may be a group of receivers 106, e.g. threeor more receivers, which have been defined by the receiver hub 108 as azone within the monitored area, as described in the commonly owned U.S.Pat. No. 7,710,322 filed Jan. 13, 2006 which is incorporated herein inits entirety. In some embodiments virtual groups may overlap, e.g. oneor more receivers may be assigned to two or more virtual groups. Thereceiver hub 108 may detect the assignment configuration of thereceivers to each virtual group.

FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary process of receiver hub(e.g. receiver hub 108 as shown in FIG. 1) operations. At block 2002 thereceiver hub 108 may receive the participant tag blink data for allactive receivers (e.g. receivers 106 as shown in FIG. 1).

At block 2004, the receiver hub 108 may determine an identification ofand a location for reference tags (e.g. reference tags 104 as shown inFIG. 1). The receiver hub 108 may receive a reference tag blink datafrom one or more active receivers 106. The receiver hub 108 may receivethe time stamp for each tag (e.g. tag 102 as shown in FIG. 5) for eachactive receiver 106. The receiver hub 108 may determine in an instancein which any reference tags 104 are not detected by any of the activereceivers 106. At block 2006, the receiver hub 108 may calculate the tag102 location which is described in additional detail in FIGS. 1-4. Insome example embodiments, the reference tag 104 may be received by asubset of the receivers 106, such as by a virtual group.

In an instance in which the receiver hub 108 has calculated a locationdata for a tag 102 a tag location data T-Packet may be output to varioussubsystems including, but not limited to the filter and analytics engine(e.g. filter and analytics engine 515 as shown in FIG. 5), support anddiagnostics engine (e.g. support and diagnostics engine 513 as shown inFIG. 5), or the like. In an instance in which the receiver hub 108 hasinsufficient tag data to calculate a tag location, such as less thanthree receivers 106 detecting tag blink data, a tag derived dataP-Packet may be output to various subsystems.

At block 2008, the receiver hub 108 may determine receiver status andcause display of receiver status 2102 on the GUI (e.g. event locationGUI 516 and/or support and diagnostic GUI 532 as shown in FIG. 5) on anequipment status display, as illustrated in FIG. 21. The receiver hub108 may determine that the receiver 106 is properly communicating bychecking for data transmission times, based on a receiver time stamp.Further the receiver hub 108 may compare the number of reference tags104 detected by each receiver to a predetermined value, threshold, orthe like. An indication of the receiver status 2102 may be overlaid, inan example GUI 516/532, on the approximate position of the receiver 106on a stadium map. In an instance in which the data transmission ornumber of reference tags 104 detected does not satisfy a predeterminedvalue, e.g. is below said threshold, the receiver status 2102 may begreen. In an instance in which the data transmission time, for example,exceeds a predetermined value the receiver status 2102 may be yellow. Inan instance in which the receiver 106 is not detecting a reference tag104 a visual notation may be made next to the indicated receiver. Thenotation may take the form of the number or tag UID of the reference tag104 that is not being detected or the number of reference tags notdetected.

At block 2009, the receiver hub 108 may also determine receiver hubstatus 2106 and cause a display of receiver hub status on a GUI 516/532.An indication of receiver hub status 2106 may be overlaid on theapproximate position of the receiver hub 108 on a stadium map. In aninstance in which the receiver hub 108 is functioning properly thereceiver hub status 2106 may indicate green. In an instance in which thereceiver hub is not functioning properly, e.g. system configurationerrors detected, the receiver hub status 2106 may be indicated as red orsome other visual indication that indicates a malfunction, error or thelike.

At block 2010, the receiver hub 108 may determine reference tag status2104 and cause reference tag status to be displayed on the GUI 516/532,as is illustrated in FIG. 21. The receiver hub 108 may determine thatthe reference tag 104 is properly functioning by verifying the receivers106 are detecting the particular reference tag. An indication of thereference tag status 2104 is overlaid, in some examples, on theapproximate position of the reference tag 104 on a stadium map. In aninstance in which the reference tag 104 is being detected by at least apredetermined number of receivers 106 the reference tag status 2104 maybe indicated as green. In an instance in which the reference tag 104 isnot detected by at least a predetermined number of receivers 106, thereference tag status 2104 may be indicated as red. Other errors, such ascommunication errors or the like may also be indicated using a visualindication, such as a color.

The receiver hub 108 may also verify that the reference tag 104 batterylife. When a reference tag 104 battery life satisfies a firstpredetermined value the tag may send a “battery ok” data as part of theblink transmission. In an instance in which the battery life does notsatisfy the first predetermined value but satisfies a secondpredetermined value the tag may send a “battery low” data as part of theblink transmission. In an instance in which the battery does not satisfythe second predetermined value the reference tag 104 may send a “batterycritical” or “battery dead” data as part of the blink transmission.Alternatively, the tag 104 may send battery life data or an indicationthereof (e.g., a flag bit) as part of the blink data and thedetermination of corresponding predetermined values may occur at thereceiver hub 104 or other subsystem. A battery icon may be indicatedadjacent to the reference tag status 2104 and indicate the batterystatus by color. In an instance in which the battery life satisfies afirst predetermined value the reference tag 104 battery life icon mayindicate or otherwise be presented as green. In an instance in which thebattery life does not satisfy the first predetermined value, butsatisfies the second predetermined value the reference tag battery lifeicon may indicate yellow. In an instance in which the battery life doesnot satisfy the second predetermined value the reference tag batterylife icon may indicate red.

At block 2012, the receiver hub 108 may determine participant tag 102status and cause the participant tag status to be displayed on the GUI516/532 on a player equipment status display, as illustrated in FIG. 22.A tag 102 status may be indicated on a player roster or equipment rosterscreen. A player roster screen may indicate, without limitation, playernumber, player name, player position, status warning, tag transmissionstatus, tag battery life status, tag location status, or the like foreach player and tag 102.

The receiver hub 108 may determine the participant tags 102 are properlyfunctioning by verifying the receivers 106 are detecting the participanttag 102 blink transmissions. The GUI 516/532 may provide an indicationof properly blinking tag 102 with a green tag blink status icon. In aninstance in which a tag 102 blink transmission has not been received fora first predetermined time value (e.g. 2 seconds) the participant tagblink status icon may indicate yellow. In an instance in which the blinktransmission has not been received for a time exceeding a secondpredetermined time value (e.g. 5 seconds) the participant tag blinkstatus icon may indicate red.

The battery life of a participant tag 102 is determined in the same orsimilar manner as a reference tag 104 as discussed above at block 2010.The tag 102 battery life status icon may indicate green for charged(e.g., having a charge above a threshold) or normal, yellow for lowbattery, and red of critical or dead battery. In an instance in whichbattery data is not available the battery status icon may indicate grey.

The receiver hub 108 may determine location status by comparing the lastlocation time to predetermined time values. In an instance in which thereceiver hub 108 has a current location or the location data time hasnot satisfied a first predetermined value the participant tag locationstatus icon may indicate green. In an instance in which the locationtime satisfies a first predetermined time value (e.g. 2 seconds sincelast locate), the participant tag location status icon may indicateyellow. In an instance in which the location time satisfies a secondpredetermined time value (e.g. 5 seconds since last locate), theparticipant location status icon may indicate red.

The status warning indication is normally white, in an instance in whichthere are no deficiencies detected with the participant tags 102, in aninstance in which all status icons indicate green. In an instance inwhich a participant tag 102 has a deficiency indicated by a status iconof red, yellow, or grey, the status warning icon indicates red. The redcolor of the status warning indicator draws attention to the participantfor further evaluation of the participant tags 102.

At block 2014, the receiver hub 108 may determine system status overtime and may cause the system status data to be stored in a memory forlater evaluation or use by other subsystems. The receiver hub 108 mayalso cause the system status data to be displayed on the GUI 516/532 fora player tag status history or an equipment status history. The playertag status history as illustrated in FIG. 23 may indicate, withoutlimitation, team name, player number, player position, home or awaystatus, event period, blink status, location status, battery lifestatus, or the like. The tags 102 associated with a player orparticipant may be indicated by a horizontal bar. The GUI 516/532 may beconfigured to plot (e.g., in a linear graph) the tag 102 status at apredetermined interval (e.g. 5 seconds). A user may select the timeperiod to view by selecting an event period, such as a quarter inAmerican football. A user may select what tag status data is displayedby selecting battery, location, blink, or the like. The statusindication bar may indicate the color of the status icon discussed aboveat each plotted time. The GUI 516/532 may also display one or morealerts. In further examples, the GUI 516/532 may report a status of anyexceptions or any other relevant information, such as shoulder distance,an indication of a fallen tag (e.g., one tag is still moving, while apair tag remains stationary) and/or the like.

The equipment status history, such as the example history in FIG. 24,may indicate, without limitation, receiver hub 108 status, receiver 106designations, receiver status, reference tag 104 designations, referencetag status, and/or other sensor information and/or status event period,or the like. An example equipment status is indicated by a horizontalbar. The GUI 516/532 plots the equipment status at a predeterminedinterval (e.g. 5 seconds). A user may select an event period to view byselecting an event period. The equipment status information may beselected for each equipment type, as discussed above, such as batterylife, location or blink status for a reference or health tag.

Process for Delivering Packet Data to GUI Subsystems

FIG. 25 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary process deliveringpacket data to GUI 516/532 subsystems. At block 2502, the receiver hub(e.g. receiver hub 108 as shown in FIG. 1) outputs tag location dataT-packets, tag derived data P-packets, and tag derived data D-packetsand initialization tag derived data D-packets to the GUI (e.g. eventlocation GUI 516 and/or support and diagnostics GUI 532 as shown in FIG.5).

At block 2504, the GUI 516/532 is updated based on the operation taglocation data T-packets and tag derived data P-packets. In someexamples, the player roster status screen, equipment status historydisplay and player status history display may be updated. The GUI516/532 may also indicate that the operation tag location data T-packetsand tag derived data P packets to the diagnostics and alerts interface.In some examples, the diagnostics and alerts interface provides anotification of detection of tags, receivers, etc. description of theone or more tags 102, activity of the tags or the like, notification ofone or more alerts, etc. and/or an indication of a resolution.

At block 2505, the diagnostics and alerts interface sends text, email,short message service (SMS), or other notification status updates of achange to player dynamics, diagnostic error codes, or the like. Alertsbased on a change to player dynamics may be used in an instance in whichthe player participant is equipped with multiple tags, and may includewithout limitation, change to speed or gate, non-linear travel (e.g.stumbling or weaving), or the like. Diagnostic codes as discussed inFIGS. 17 and 20 may be sent to the diagnostics and alerts interface forsupport personnel to resolve and report correction.

At block 2506, the GUI 516/532 selects the initialization tag deriveddata D-packets and updates the system initialization status display andthe configuration status display as discussed above at blocks 1706 and1708 of FIG. 17.

At block 2108, operation tag derived data D-packets update the equipmentstatus display and the equipment status history display as discussedabove at blocks 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012 of FIG. 20.

In some examples, one or more administrative displays may be used forconfiguration setting, health settings or the like. A CPU reservedisplay may be provided to display the available CPU availability. TheCPU display may indicate digital readout of the percent of CPU availablefor additional processing. The CPU display may indicate as analog stylemeter display of the range of CPU validity (e.g. 0-100%).

Example Apparatus

FIG. 26 shows a block diagram of components that may be included in anapparatus 2600 is configured to collect and display sporting event databased on real time, or near real time data for proximity and movement ofobjects in accordance with embodiments discussed herein. The apparatus2600, may be embodied in or otherwise associated with the receiver hub108, receiver processing and distribution system 101/510/3800,performance and analytics system 300/3900. In some examples, apparatus2600 may be embodied by or enable operation of one or more blocks asdescribed herein. Apparatus 2600 may comprise one or more processors,such as processor 2602, one or more memories, such as memory 2604,communication circuitry 2606, and user interface 2608. Processor 2602can be, for example, a microprocessor that is configured to executesoftware instructions and/or other types of code portions for carryingout defined steps, some of which are discussed herein. Processor 2602may communicate internally using data bus, for example, which may beused to convey data, including program instructions, between processor2602 and memory 2604.

Memory 2604 may include one or more non-transitory storage media suchas, for example, volatile and/or non-volatile memory that may be eitherfixed or removable. Memory 2604 may be configured to store information,data, applications, instructions or the like for enabling apparatus 2600to carry out various functions in accordance with example embodiments ofthe present invention. For example, the memory could be configured tobuffer input data for processing by processor 2602. Additionally oralternatively, the memory could be configured to store instructions forexecution by processor 2602. Memory 2604 can be considered primarymemory and be included in, for example, RAM or other forms of volatilestorage which retain its contents only during operation, and/or memory2604 may be included in non-volatile storage, such as ROM, EPROM,EEPROM, FLASH, or other types of storage that retain the memory contentsindependent of the power state of the apparatus 2600. Memory 2604 couldalso be included in a secondary storage device, such as external diskstorage, that stores large amounts of data. In some embodiments, thedisk storage may communicate with processor 2602 using an input/outputcomponent via a data bus or other routing component. The secondarymemory may include a hard disk, compact disk, DVD, memory card, or anyother type of mass storage type known to those skilled in the art.

In some embodiments, processor 2602 may be configured to communicatewith external communication networks and devices using communicationscircuitry 2606, and may use a variety of interfaces such as datacommunication oriented protocols, including X.25, ISDN, DSL, amongothers. Communications circuitry 2606 may also incorporate a modem forinterfacing and communicating with a standard telephone line, anEthernet interface, cable system, and/or any other type ofcommunications system. Additionally, processor 1202 may communicate viaa wireless interface that is operatively connected to communicationscircuitry 2606 for communicating wirelessly with other devices, usingfor example, one of the IEEE 802.11 protocols, 802.15 protocol(including Bluetooth, Zigbee, and others), a cellular protocol (AdvancedMobile Phone Service or “AMPS”), Personal Communication Services (PCS),or a standard 3G wireless telecommunications protocol, such as CDMA20001× EV-DO, GPRS, W-CDMA, LTE, and/or any other protocol.

The apparatus 2600 may include a user interface 2608 that may, in turn,be in communication with the processor 2602 to provide output to theuser and to receive input. For example, the user interface may include adisplay and, in some embodiments, may also include a keyboard, a mouse,a joystick, a touch screen, touch areas, soft keys, a microphone, aspeaker, or other input/output mechanisms. The processor may compriseuser interface circuitry configured to control at least some functionsof one or more user interface elements such as a display and, in someembodiments, a speaker, ringer, microphone and/or the like. Theprocessor and/or user interface circuitry comprising the processor maybe configured to control one or more functions of one or more userinterface elements through computer program instructions (e.g., softwareand/or firmware) stored on a memory accessible to the processor (e.g.,memory 2604, and/or the like).

FIG. 27 illustrates an example field event rendering of multidimensionalplayer location data per unit time for an event according to anembodiment of the present invention. The multidimensional playerlocation per unit time depicted may be an entire or significant portionof an event without filtering as discussed in FIG. 29.

FIG. 28 illustrates a flowchart for an exemplary process of data flowthrough a filter and analytics engine. At block 2802 blink data isreceived from one or more tags (e.g. tags 102 as shown in FIG. 1) by areceiver hub (e.g. receiver hub 108 as shown in FIG. 1). The receiverhub 108 outputs tag location data T-packets and tag derived dataD-packets. The tag location data T-packets may comprise, withoutlimitation, packet type, tag UID, X/Y/Z location coordinates, batterylife, ID Unit data quality index (DQI), RTLS error rate (e.g. bit errorrate), end-of-life (EOL), or the like. The receiver hub 108 may send thetag location data T-packets and tag derived data D-packets to a filterand analytics engine (e.g. filter and analytics engine 515 as shown inFIG. 5).

At block 2804 the filter and analytics engine 515 may create a raw datafile. A raw data file may contain all of the tag derived data D-packetsand tag location data T-packets for a predetermined period of time (e.g.20 sec).

At block 2806, the filter and analytics engine 515 the filter andanalytics engine may cause the raw data file to be stored in a datastorage, a remotely accessible storage or local data storage (e.g. thedata storage 542 and local data storage 514 as shown in FIG. 5). The rawdata may be stored in data storage 524 for later analysis of the taglocation data or for system diagnostics. The raw data may be stored as acomplete file, as smaller time increments (e.g. 1 sec files), stored bytag, stored by participant, or the like. At block 2808, the raw datafile is received from the data storage 514 by the filter and analyticsengine 515. The raw data file may be retrieved during the event or at alater time for analysis.

At block 2810, the filter and analytics engine 515 may parse the tagderived data D-packets and tag location T-packets. The filter andanalytics engine 515 may route data packets for processing based onstatus as a tag location data or diagnostic tag derived data. The filterand analytics engine 515 may send the tag derived data D-Packets to asupport and diagnostics engine (e.g. support and diagnostics engine 513as shown in FIG. 5). The filter and analytics engine 515 may parse thetext data of each tag location T-packets.

At block 2812, the filter and analytics engine 515 may classify the taglocation data. The filter and analytics engine 515 may correlate taglocation data to a tag identifier in registration data based on thetag-individual correlator; creating a tag event. A tag event maycomprise, without limitation, tag identifier, x and y coordinates, time,battery life, DQI, RSSI, or the like. After the filter and analyticsengine 515 creates a tag event, the filter and analytics engine mayfilter the tag event data at block 2816.

Optionally, at block 2814, the filter and analytics engine 515 mayprocess tag events in parallel by processing tag event data as apredefined unit of work. The filter and analytics engine 515 determinesa unit of work or predetermined unit time of accumulated tag event data(e.g. one second). A unit of work may include all tag events for theunit of time for both the left and right shoulder tag for a player. Theaverage time, for example two seconds, may require the next unit of workto include blink data events from the previous unit of work.

At block 2816, the filter and analytics engine 515 createsmultidimensional player location information per unit time. Themultidimensional player location information per unit time may containthe last predetermined number of tag events (e.g. 20, 100, or the like)for each tag. The multidimensional player location information per unittime may have a searchable hierarchy. The hierarchy may comprise a mapof all tag event data, a list of all participants by tag code, a tagevent list for each tag, a tag event, and participant data.

At block 2817, the filter and analytics engine 515 calculates thefiltered multidimensional player location information per unit time. Thefilter and analytics engine 515 may process and adjust for missed tagevent blinks, filters pops, stabilizes jitter, player head direction, orthe like and dismisses compromised accuracy as discussed in furtherdetail in FIG. 29. The filter and analytics engine 515 may determinethat a tag location data accuracy for a tag event is compromised anddismiss the tag event blink from the multidimensional player locationinformation per unit time when the DQI fails to meet a predeterminedvalue, RSSI fails to meet a predetermined value, a tag derived dataD-packet has been received for the tag 102, or the like. In an instancein which a tag location data is dismissed the tag event may be processedas a missed tag event blink. The filter and analytics engine 515 mayprocess the multidimensional player location information per unit timeas stream of tag events/multidimensional player location information ormay process multidimensional player location information per unit timeas a predefined unit of time. The filter and analytics engine 515 maycalculate a adjusted multidimensional player location information perunit time from the filtered tag events creating a filteredmultidimensional player location information per unit time.Additionally, the filter and analytics engine 515 may calculateparticipant metric data including, without limitation distance traveledmaximum speed, average speed, or the like. The participant metric datamay be per game, play event, or the like.

At block 2818, the filter and analytics engine 515 is configured tocreate a filtered data file. The filtered data file may contain all or aportion of the multidimensional player location information per unittime that has been processes by the filter and analytics engine 515 fora predetermined time period, as illustrated on a field event renderingvisualization in FIG. 27. A field event rendering may be a depiction ofan event field, such as a football field which includes multidimensionalplayer location data per unit time. Additionally, the filter andanalytics engine 515 may create a participant metric data filecontaining all or a portion of the metric data associated with aparticular participant or group of participants for a predeterminedperiod of time.

At block 2820, the filter and analytics engine 515 may cause thefiltered data file to be stored in data storage 514/542. The filter andanalytics engine 515 may also cause a participant metric data file to bestored in data storage 514/542. The filtered data file and or theparticipant metric data file may be retrieved from data storage 514/542for later analysis, processing or system diagnostics. The participantmetric data files may be associated by participant for later analysis ofseason or lifetime metrics.

At block 2822, the filter and analytics engine 515 reduces filteredmultidimensional player location information per unit time. The filterand analytics engine 515 may associate the filtered multidimensionalplayer location information per unit time for a player participant withfiltered multidimensional player location information per unit time forother participants, for example by matching time stamps of tag events tocreate a reduced filtered multidimensional player location data per unittime.

At block 2824, the filtered data file or the participant metric datafile may be received by a visualization and model engine (e.g.visualization and model engine 517 as shown in FIG. 5). Thevisualization and model engine could also receive alternative oradditional reduced filtered multidimensional player location informationper unit time from the filter and analytics engine 515. Thevisualization and model engine 517 may transfer tag coordinate data fromthe filtered multidimensional player location information per unit timeor the reduced filtered multidimensional player location information perunit time file to a corresponding location on rendering or other visualindication of an event field.

The event field rending may comprise without limitation, a twodimensional graphic representation of the event field and participantslocations, a three dimensional graphic representation of the event fieldand participant locations, time, game time, play count, play type,possession of object, tag code IDs, update time for tags 102, tag timewithout update, number of tags, tag errors by category, player names,player positions, or the like. The visualization and model engine 517may create a visualization file for data storage and/or for display on aGUI, map, or dashboard (e.g. event location GUI 516 or support anddiagnostics GUI 532). Additionally, participant metric data may beselected and entered into the visualization file from the participantmetric data file on the GUI 516/532.

At block 2826, the visualization and model engine may cause thevisualization file to be displayed on GUIs 516/532. At block 2828, thevisualization and model engine may cause the visualization data file tobe stored in data storage 514/542 for later analysis, display or systemdiagnostics.

Exemplary Process for Filtering and/or Analysis of Participant LocationData

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of an exemplary process for filtering and/oranalysis of participant location data. At block 2902, the filter andanalytics engine (e.g. filter and analytics engine 515 shown in FIG. 5)may determine tag events with compromised accuracy. In some cases, thefilter and analytics engine 515 may dismiss selected tag events fromfurther analysis. A dismissed tag event is treated as a missed tag eventblink for the duration of the analysis. The filter and analytics engine515 may determine a tag event is compromised in an instance in which theDQI satisfies a predetermined threshold, the RSSI satisfies apredetermined threshold, the RTLS error rate satisfies a predeterminedthreshold, the tag code check fails, e.g. error codes, or other tagblink data quality indicators. At block 2904, the filter and analyticsengine 515 may calculate a tag data filter parameter, such as, tag blinkperiod, blink distance span, and blink velocity. A blink period may bethe time period between tag event blinks, e.g. 0.5 seconds, 1 second, 3seconds, or any other time period. The blink distance span may be thedifference in location between tag event blinks, e.g. the difference incalculated tag location between tag event blinks, such as 5 feet, 5yards, 50 yards, or any other distance. The blink velocity may thedifference in location between tag event blinks divided by the timeperiod between tag event blinks, e.g. 5 yards per second, 10 yards persecond, or other distance over time value.

At block 2906, the filter and analytics engine 515 may perform a blinkperiod calibration in some examples. The filter and analytics engine 515compares the time period between tag events to the blink rate or blinkperiod. In some examples, in an instance in which the time periodbetween tag events is greater than the blink period, the filter andanalytics engine 515 calculates the number of missing tag event blinks.

At block 2908, the filter and analytics engine 515 may determine amissed tag event blink adjustment factor. The missed tag event blinkadjustment factor is applied to affect the weight of the current andprevious blink calculation of a participant location. In an instance inwhich there are no missed tag events blinks the current and previous tagevents are weighted equally, such as at 50%. In an instance in whichthere are missing tag event blinks the current tag event is weightedhigher than the previous tag event. In an instance in which there are apredetermined number of consecutive missed tag events (e.g. one secondof blink data or 12 blinks) the previous tag event is discounted (e.g.weighted at 0%).

At block 2910, the filter and analytics engine 515 determines a popblink adjustment factor. The filter and analytics engine 515 may comparethe velocity of each tag event previous and current to a predeterminedmax velocity. In an instance in which the tag event velocity is greaterthan the predetermined max velocity, then an error may be determined.For example, in an instance in which a participant human being travelsthe length of a football field in under two seconds, the filter ananalytics engine 515 may determine that the tag event velocity exceeds athe predetermined max velocity. In an example embodiment thedetermination of a pop blink may be performed after determining anddismissing tag events with compromised accuracy 2902, in such aninstance the pop blink is considered to have compromised accuracy and isdismissed from further analysis, similar to a missed tag event blink.

At block 2912, the filter and analytics engine 515 determines a tag 102to tag offset factor. At block 2914, the filter and analytics engine 515may calculate the adjustment factors to each of the of the tag events.The filter analytics engine 515 may filter jitter from the locationcalculation by applying a weighted average to the current and previousfour tag events.

At block 2916, the filter and analytics engine 515 may calculate amultidimensional player location information per unit time for eachparticipant, as discussed in FIG. 1 using the adjusted locationcalculations for each player.

Alternatively or additionally, using a kinematic model of the tag/sensormotion for each tag, and a kinematic model for the player/object,allowed motion can be captured while restricting jitter and pop. The tagmodel may contain location (x,y), velocity (vx,vy), and acceleration(ax,ay). The tag model is not limited to these values, as it can haveless or more dynamic parameters, in some example. The model parametersare limited based on the player object, such as has a maximum speed, andmaximum acceleration, and a minimum locations change at low speed toallow for good static behavior (low or no jitter). The player modelcontains the same parameters as the tag model, but also, angle (a),angular velocity (v). The player model is not limited to these values,as it can have less or more dynamic parameters. The player modelparameters are limited based on the player object, such as has a maximumspeed. The limits can be different for each tag 102 and for the players.In addition, there are example constraints at player level, that mayaffect the tag model, such as relative tag location. For example, asshoulder width when two tags are mounted on a player shoulder pads.

In some examples, a player location is derived from the tag location,and this becomes the ‘raw’ player location. The player model operates ina similar fashion, with raw player data guiding the player model motion.An initial value for all parameters is assumed, like x,y,vx,vy,ax,ay=0.As the raw location data becomes available, in sequential time order,with precise time stamps, the model predicts the model m_x,m_y, based onthe model. In an instance in which the next actual x,y shows adiscrepancy, the various parameters are adjusted. The higher orderparameters, like acceleration are allowed more adjustment than the lowerorder parameters like model location. In this way the model drives thebehavior, and not the actual data, that is use more as a guide.

For example:

Example Tag/Sensor Model

_dTime_model = _dTime;   double dPeriod = _pPrev->_dTime −_pPrev2->_dTime;   //X   double dVelX = (_pPrev->_dX_model −_pPrev2->_dX_model)/   dPeriod; //limit Velocity to known max Velocityof the object.   if( dVelX > gApp_Config._dMaxVelocity) dVelX =  gApp_Config._dMaxVelocity;   if( dVelX < −gApp_Config._dMaxVelocity)dVelX =   −gApp_Config._dMaxVelocity; //X prediction   double dX_predict= _pPrev->_dX_model + dVelX * dPeriod;   double dX_error = _fX −dX_predict; //if the x error is small, do not move, To avoid/reducejitter while static.   if( (dX_error < gApp_Config._dMaxXYError ) && (dX_error > −   gApp_Config._dMaxXYError ))     _dX_model = dX_predict +  gApp_Config._dXYErrorCorrectionFactor * dX_error;     else    _dX_model = _fX;Example Player ModelThe player raw x, y is calculated from the tag model output (for twotags in this case)

  pPlayer->_dX_raw = (pBlink_this->_dX_model +  pBlink_that->_dX_model)/2.0;   pPlayer->_dY_raw =(pBlink_this->_dY_model +   pBlink_that->_dY_model)/2.0;pPlayer->_dTime_raw = (pBlink_this->_dTime + pBlink_that- >_dTime)/2.0;The above player x, y and time input feeds into the player model, in thesame way as for the tag as described above. For player orientation, thetag positions (shoulders) are calculated at the same times as the Playertime, via this equation.pPlayer→_dShoulderLeftX=pBlink_left→_fX+pBlink_left→_dSkVelX*dtL;The orientation of the player is in some examples

    double dDirX = − ( pPlayer->_dShoulderRightY −     pPlayer->_dShoulderLeftY );     double dDirY = pPlayer ->_dShoulderRightX −    pPlayer ->_dShoulderLeftX; double dAbsDir = sqrt( dDirX*dDirX +dDirY*dDirY );     double uX = dDirX / dAbsDir;     double uY = dDirY /dAbsDir;The orientation angle is, in some examples: angle=a tan 2(uX,uY);

Additionally or alternatively, the 2 and 4 point filtering may beapplied, as described in FIG. 30.

Exemplary Output of a Filter and Analytics Engine

FIG. 30 illustrates an exemplary output of a filter and analytics engine(e.g. filter and analytics engine 515 as shown in FIG. 5) with jitterfiltering applied. The RTLS data with jitter may comprise the rawlocation data for left and right shoulder tags. The bottom data line3002 depicts the raw RTLS data from a participant equipped with twolocation tags 102 mounted to each shoulder. In some embodiments a jitterfilter may be applied to the RTLS raw data, as discussed above in FIG.29. The RTLS data-no jitter 3004 may be a smoother depiction of theparticipant location data, clearly depicting the location of theparticipant shoulders at each unit of time.

Additionally or alternatively, the filter and analytics engine 515 mayperform multiple point filtering, such as 2 point filtering or 4 pointfiltering. Multiple point filtering may be an average of the RTLSlocation data prior to or after jitter filtering. In an exampleembodiment, the filter and analytics engine 515 may average the locationdata of the left and right shoulder location data for the participant,resulting in a single location representing approximate location of thecenter of the participant. Alternatively, 2 point filtering may averagethe current and previous location data for the participant or tag 102,resulting in the approximate location of the participant or tag betweenthe last two location data calculations.

In some example embodiments, the filter and analytics engine 515 mayapply a 4 point filter 3006 by averaging the location data for the leftand right shoulder and the current and previous location data resultingin the approximate location of the center of the participant between thelast two location data calculations. The application of two or fourpoint filtering may generate a more smooth and in some instances moreaccurate representation, of the participants travel through themonitored area. The 4 point filter with no jitter 3008 may generate asmooth accurate single trace of location data over a period of time.

In an example embodiment, the jitter, no-jitter, 2 point filter, and/or4 point filter location data may be displayed as overlays in differentcolors for analysis of filtering performance.

Exemplary Process for Synchronizing Multidimensional Player Location PerUnit Time

FIG. 31 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary process forsynchronizing multidimensional player location information per unit timeat calculated times. At block 3102, the visualization and model engine(e.g. visualization and model engine 517 as shown in FIG. 5) receivesthe filtered multidimensional player location information per unit timefrom a filter and analytics engine (e.g. filter and analytics engine 515as shown in FIG. 5). A filtered multidimensional player locationinformation per unit time may comprise participant locations atcalculated times for each participant tag 102 (e.g. tag 102 as shown inFIG. 1) or participant. It is desirable to provide location data for allparticipant tags 102 to the visualization and model engine 515 at thesame time. The tag (e.g. tag 102 as shown in FIG. 5) locations are notsynchronized when received by the visualization and model engine 517.

At block 3104, the visualization and model engine 517 synchronizes thecalculated time for the participant locations based on time stampsassociated with each participant location calculation. At block 3106,the visualization and model engine 517 outputs synchronized participantcoordinate data, e.g. two or more multidimensional player locations perunit time synchronized by time stamp data, for rendering for display.

At block 3108, the synchronized participant coordinate data istransferred to corresponding location on an event field rendering. Thefield event rendering may be a digital media, such as streaming video.The event field rendering may be sent to a GUI (e.g. event location GUI516 and/or support and diagnostics GUI 532 as shown in FIG. 5) fordisplay, broadcast over a website or file server, or the like. Eachlocation data file is synchronized and transferred to the event fieldrendering. The GUI 516/532 is sent the next rendering or refreshed at apredetermined rate (e.g. 10 Hz or less). The event field renderingtransmission to the GUI 516/532 may be delayed by a predetermined timevalue (e.g. two seconds).

At block 3110, the synchronized participant coordinate data istransferred to corresponding location on an event field rendering. Theevent field rendering may be a video application program interface (API)in some examples. The API may be configured to transfer the event fieldrendering video to remote systems for display. Additionally oralternatively, the field event rendering may be a television broadcastoutput. Each location data file is synchronized and transferred to theevent field rendering. The GUI 516/532 is sent the next rendering orrefreshed at a predetermined rate (e.g. 30 Hz). The event fieldrendering transmission to a video display may be delayed by apredetermined time value (e.g. two seconds).

In some examples, the location data file may be used in conjunction witha live or near-live television broadcast. In such examples, the locationdata is scaled such that it is providing location information at apredetermined refresh rate that is synchronous with the displayrate/refresh rate of the television. In further examples, the system mayreceive one or more inputs from the live video feed (e.g., cameralocations, camera orientations, camera system coordinates, camera focus,camera zoom, etc.) to relate a participant as shown on the video to thelocation data related to the same player. As a result, a halo, anindicator or other visual cue may be placed around the participant toindicate his/her real time location. In such cases, as the participantmoves, a travel line, heat indicator, speed indicator, name, statisticsor the like may be displayed on the video, live TV or the like.

In some examples, the visualization and model engine 517 may determinecamera data which has camera control system coordinates which may beassociated with the synchronized participant coordinate data, e.g. thecamera data may include at least one of the participants associated withthe synchronized participant coordinate data. The visualization andmodel engine 517 may synchronize the camera data and the synchronizedparticipant coordinate data based on time stamps. In some exampleembodiments, the visualization and model engine may, additionally oralternatively, synchronize the camera data and the synchronizedparticipant coordinate data based on location coordinates and the camerasystem coordinates.

In some example embodiments, the visualization and model engine 517 mayreceive individual or aggregate player and team statistical data fromthe filter and analytics engine 515. The field event rendering mayinclude the statistical data, such as speed, impact force, distance, orthe like. The statistical data may be rendered adjacent to participantmovement rendering within the field event rendering or overlaid on topof the field event rendering, such as on or near the participantrendering for which the statistical data is associated with.

Similarly, in an example embodiment, the visualization and model enginemay receive participant, (e.g. names, positions, or the like), group(e.g. squad, offence, defense, or the like), or team identifiers, (e.g.names, logos, or the like), which may be based on tag-individualcorrelators. The visualization and model engine 517 may renderparticipant, group, or team identifiers, adjacent to and/or overlaid onthe field event rendering.

Exemplary Process for Setting Receiver Hub and Video Camera Coordinates

FIG. 32 illustrates an exemplary embodiment for setting receiver hub andvideo camera coordinates. The receiver hub (e.g. receiver hub 108 asshown in FIG. 1) coordinates may be set once with 0,0 at the bottom leftof the home side of the field. The home side of the field may changedepending on the game and may be set prior to the game. Units may be setfor three feet equaling one yard.

Video camera system coordinates may be set before each game based on thefield lines that are marked each game. The 0, 0 position may be set atthe bottom-left of the home side of the field. The video camera systemcoordinates and receiver hub coordinates may be correlated so that videocamera data may be matched and synchronized with tag location data. Forexample, tag location data, multidimensional player location per unittime, or the like may be rendered adjacent to or over the camera databased on the video camera coordinate and receiver hub coordinates. Assuch, location data and real time location of participants on the videocan be synchronized and/or overlaid.

In some example embodiments, the video camera system coordinates may beused to control one or more cameras, based on receiver hub coordinatesassociates with one or more participants. For example, the camera systemmay be configured to direct one or more cameras to capture camera dataincluding the participant object ball or participant player. Thereceiver hub coordinates for the location data associated with theparticipant may be correlated with the video camera system coordinatesand the cameras trained to capture camera data of the designatedparticipant.

Example Field Event Renderings

FIG. 33 illustrates an example of an event field rendering. The eventfield rendering may comprise a two dimensional game field (Americanfootball field), participant locations, participant tag data, time, gameevent fields, or the like. The participant locations (illustrated withXs) may change position on the game field for each coordinate data overtime.

FIG. 34 illustrates an example of an event field rendering. The eventfield rendering may comprise a three dimensional game field (Americanfootball field), participant locations, participant tag data, time, gaveevent fields, or the like. The participant locations (indicated withAmerican football helmets) may change position on the game field foreach coordinate data over time.

FIG. 35 illustrates an example of a field event rendering. The fieldevent rendering may comprise a selected portion of a three dimensionalgame field (American football field), participant locations, participanttag data, CPU usage, error counters, player names player numbers, playerpositions, player tag data, player team label, or the like. Theparticipant locations (indicated with cones) may change position on thegame field for each coordinate data over time. The participant locationcones indicate direction of the player participant; the circles on eachcone indicate the left and right shoulder tag (e.g. tag 102 as shown inFIG. 1).

FIG. 36 illustrates an example of a field event rendering. The fieldevent rendering may comprise a selected portion of a three dimensionalgame field (American football field), participant locations, participanttag data, two dimensional field event rendering with participant taglocations, player names, player team logos, or the like. The participantlocations (indicated with American football helmets) may change positionfor each coordinate data over time. The participant location helmetsindicate direction of the player participant; the circles in each helmetmay indicate the left and right shoulder tags (e.g. tag 102 as shown inFIG. 1).

FIG. 37 illustrates an example of a field event rendering. The fieldevent rendering may comprise a three dimensional game field (Americanfootball field), participant locations, participant tag data,participant tag diagnostics, player names, player numbers, playerpositions, or the like. The event field rendering may further include aselected area of a two dimensional game field. The participants may beindicated by player team logos or cones.

Exemplary Processing and Distribution System

FIG. 38 illustrates an exemplary receiver processing and distributionsystem 3800 diagram for collecting sporting event data or other eventdata according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system mayinclude a receiver hub 108, a distributor 3810, a PTS monitoringinterface 3812, a raw data storage 3814, a comma separated value (CVS)file 3815, a scrubber 3816, a GUI 3817, and a query data storage 3818.

The receiver hub 108 receives tag (e.g. tag 102 as shown in FIG. 1) datafrom receivers (e.g. receivers 106 as shown in FIG. 1) as described inFIGS. 1-4. The distributor 3810 receives data from a socket on thereceiver hub and distributes the tag data to the raw data storage 3814,the CSV file 3815, the scrubber 3816, the GUI 3830, and the locationmonitoring interface 3812. The receiver hub 108 may be limited to apredetermined number of simultaneous data requests. The distributor 3810may allow multiple requests for tag data to be made without the requestsbeing made to the receiver hub 108 directly, therefore allowing a singlecommunication line on the receiver hub 108 to satisfy more simultaneousdata requests than could be satisfied by the receiver hub directly.

The distributor 3810 may parse tag data into fields and create a CSVfile 3815 for distribution to other subsystems or data storage. The CSVfile may include location data, tag UID, tag individual correlator, orany other tag derived data. The CSV file may be stored in raw datastorage 3814 or sent to monitoring and analysis engines. The raw datastorage 3814 stores the tag data for further analysis or systemdiagnostics. The distributor 3810 may send data to a PTS monitoringstation 3855 that is configured to provide access to location dataoutput from the hub by one or more third parties.

The distributor 3810 may send tag data to the scrubber 3816; the tagdata may include tag location data, multidimensional player locationinformation per unit time, or the like. The scrubber 3816 may filter taglocation data or multidimensional player location information per unittime in a manner similar to the filter and analytics engine (e.g. filterand analytics engine 515 as shown in FIG. 5) as discussed in FIG. 29.

The scrubber 3816 may send the filtered multidimensional player locationinformation per unit time to the query data storage 3818. The filteredmultidimensional player location information per unit time may be storedfor later analysis and system diagnostics, or requested forvisualization. In some examples, scrubber may take the form of orotherwise embody any of 302-338 and in some cases 340-352 of FIG. 4.

The GUI 3830 may receive raw tag data including but not limited to tagUID, location data, battery life data, and diagnostic data, or the likefrom the distributor 3856. The GUI 3830 may request filtered locationdata from the query data storage 3818. The GUI 3830 may rendervisualizations such as event field renderings or support and diagnosticdisplays based on the raw tag data and filtered location data orfiltered multidimensional player location data per unit tine received.

Exemplary Performance Analytics System

FIG. 39 illustrates an exemplary system 3900 for providing performanceanalytics in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.The system 3900 is similar, in some examples, to the system 300illustrated in FIG. 4, system 3900 further comprising a receiver hub372, a motionworks server 371, and an analytical inference engine 370.

The tags 102 provide various X, Y location data in blink transmissionsreceived by receivers 106. The receivers 106 send the tag data to thereceiver hub 108 as discussed in FIG. 1. The motionworks server 371, insome examples, samples or monitors the tag data received by the receiverhub 108 at a continuous or near continuous interval. The motionworksserver 371 may provide the location data to various data filters andengines including, without limitation, locate engine 302, tag ID/filter304, player dynamics engine 306, team/formation engine 312, play engine318, official dynamics engine 324, or the like. The motionworks server371 may provide tag data to multiple data filters and enginessimultaneously, with a single data link to the receiver hub 108.

The player dynamics engine 306 may request tag location data form themotionworks server 371 and player roles from the player roles database308. The player dynamic engine 306 may request participant or playerdata for the location data from the Tag ID/filter 304 based on the tagcode. The player dynamic engine 306 may then associate the tag locationdata, player data and player role. The player dynamics engine may outputthe player location and role data to the event engine 322.

The team formation engine 312 may receive player location and role datafor a plurality of player participants from motionworks server 371 orthe player dynamic engine 306. The team formation engine may aggregatethe player location and role data, creating a team location data. Theteam formation engine 312 may compare team location data to formationmodel data which may be provided by the formation engine 316. The teamformation engine may output the aggregate team location data and likelyplay formations to the event engine 322.

The play engine 318 may receive player location data, team location dataand role data from the motionworks server 371, player dynamics engine306 and the team formation engine 312 respectively. The play engine mayreceive play models based on the rules for a predetermined sport fromthe play model engine 320. The play engine may then compare the locationand movement of a player and or team to determine the start of a playevent. For example the players on a team may move to a line of scrimmageprior to the start of the play. The players or at least some players maystop based on roles. The play event engine may then determine a play hasstarted when all or most of the player begin to move. The play eventengine may determine the play has ended when the players or objectparticipant (e.g. the ball) stops moving within a predeterminedtolerance. The play event engine 318 may output the determination of aplay event and the start and stop times of the play event to the eventengine 322.

Additionally or alternatively, play events may be manually entered by ausing an user interface. A user may designate the start or stop of aplay based on the location and motion of the participants as depicted ina field event rendering. The user input play event start and stop may beused for categorization and analysis of location data. In an exampleembodiment, the user entered play event start and stop times may beutilized for machine learning, e.g. to train the play engine 318, orother engines to recognize start and stop times of the plays and/or thetype of play or deviations from play formations based on the locationand movement of the participants. In some examples, a mobile device maybe used to indicate play start/stop.

In some example embodiments, the play engine 318 or other engines maydynamically change field parameters, e.g. the size of the monitored area100. For example, the play engine may reduce the monitored area during aplay to 3 yards within the field lines. The dynamic change in fieldparameters may provide further detail to the play be removingparticipants which are not part of the play, but which may be on oracross the field lines.

The event engine 322 is configured to collect and compile the playerlocation data, team location data, play formations, or the like, for atime period specified by the play event. The event engine may output theteam location, player location, team formation data or the like tosubsystems, including without limitation visualization 340, gameoperations 342, camera control 344, team analytics 348, league analytics348, statistics 350, XML feed/IM feed 352, historical database 336, orthe like.

The analytical inference engine 370 may receive event data, includingwithout limitation, player, team, formation, league, or the like. Theanalytic inference engine 370 may compare the historical event data andmake inferences of when plays start and stop, where and how a player maymove, team plays based on formation, new formations based on teamlocations during a play event, or the like. The analytic inferenceengine 370 may output the historical event data and inferencedeterminations to the model generation engine/interface 338.

The model generation engine/interfaces 338 may receive the historicalevent data and inference determinations form the analytical inferenceengine 370. The model generation engine/interface 338 may generatedynamic models, formation models, play models, or the like based on thehistorical event data and inference determinations. The system 3900 isself-learning, in that, the process of analyzing the historical eventdata, determining inferences and creation of new models may be performedby the system without user input. A user may approve or modify generatedmodels in the model generation engine/interface 338 to expedite theself-learning process and correct any errors in inference determinationor model generation. The model generation engine/interface 338 mayoutput new models to the dynamics model database 310, the formationmodel database 316, the play model database 320, or the like.

Exemplary Visualization

FIG. 40 illustrates example participant (e.g., player) tracking overtime in the form of a visualization in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 40 illustrates thechanging position of an offensive team during game action in a fashionthat could be provided via one or more visualizations described herein.Such tracking of changing positions may be useful for visualization inorder to provide an in game experience (e.g., a game trackerapplication). For example, at a first time, t−1, the tag located dataindicates that the tracked players are positioned well behind the lineof scrimmage and therefore not set for a particular player. At a secondtime, t0, certain of the tracked players (e.g., offensive linemen andreceivers) have positioned themselves proximate the line of scrimmage,thus, suggesting a high probability of a pro set offensive formation andthe start of a play. At a third time, t1, certain tracked players (e.g.,the receivers and the quarterback) move away from the line of scrimmage,thus, suggesting that a play has begun. Additional times t2 through t5may be similarly tracked as shown. The tag location data recorded attimes t−1 through t5 provide for a data stream indicating themotions/paths of the various players throughout the duration of a play.It is noted that FIG. 40 does not illustrate tracking of all the playersafter t0 in order to simplify the illustration. The rendering ofvisualizations is discussed in further detail in FIGS. 41-43, 45, and 50below.

FIG. 41 illustrates an exemplary method, such as process 4100, that maybe executed by one or more devices (some examples of which are discussedin connection with FIGS. 4, 5, and 39) to provide a display, such as atouch screen display 4400 of FIG. 44, with an interface configured todisplay analytic and event data that is derived based on location data,multidimensional player location data per unit time, sensor deriveddata, tag derived data, and/or the like.

At block 4102, a visualization engine, such as visualization engine 340or visualization and model engine 517, may receive analytic and/or eventdata corresponding to at least one object characteristic. For example, asports analytics interface system 112, as shown in FIG. 1, may receiveanalytic and/or event data corresponding to a location of an participantover a period of time. In some embodiments, the visualization engine340/517 may be configured to receive analytic and/or event datacorresponding to an participant characteristic, such as a footballplayer's conditioning, weight, stamina, status, and/or the like.

At block 4104, the visualization engine 314/517 may be configured tocause at least one display element (i.e., dashboard) to be displayed viaan interface. For example, as shown in FIGS. 44 and 46-49, a display4400, such as a touch screen display, may be configured to display aninterface providing visualizations corresponding to analytic and/orevent data, such as sport analytics data. With respect to FIG. 44, adisplay 4400 may include a plurality of display elements 4402. In someembodiments, the display elements 4402 may comprise an icon form 4404, agraph form 4406, a panel form 4408 and/or the like. The display elementsor dashboards are further described with reference to FIG. 51 and, insome examples, are defined as a function of the screen area that theyoccupy (e.g., icon— 1/64 of view area, graph— 1/16 of view area, panel—¼of view area, full function—whole of view area and/or the like). In someembodiments, the plurality of display elements may comprise a fullfunction form 4410, as shown in FIG. 47.

Exemplary Process for Providing an Interface Configured to DisplayVisualizations

FIG. 42 illustrates a process for providing an interface configured todisplay visualizations corresponding to analytic data, which may includeparticipant data, event data, metric data, statistical data, or thelike. At block 4202, the visualization engine 340/517 may receivelocation data corresponding to one or more participants in relation to amonitored area, such as a field of play. In some embodiments, thevisualization engine 340/517 may receive participant data at a firsttime, such as the football player's location at the beginning of theplay.

The term “participant data” as used herein refers to data derived fromone or more tags, e.g., tag data, tag unique ID, tag-individualcorrelator, tag-sensor correlator, tag data packets, blink data, timemeasurements (e.g. time of arrival, time difference of arrival, phase),signal measurements (e. g., signal strength, signal direction, signalpolarization, signal phase) and tag location data (e.g., including taglocation estimates), and data derived from one or more sensors, e.g.,sensor unique ID, stored sensor data, sensor-individual correlator,environmental measurements, and sensor information packets. Participantdata may further include profile data concerning the object, e.g.,biographical data, biometric data, name, identity data, uniform number,team, tag and/or sensor position on the object, and the like.

At block 4204, visualization engine 340/517 may be configured togenerate a visualization corresponding to the one or more participantsand at least one reference line at the first time. For example, thevisualization engine 340/517 may be configured to generate avisualization corresponding to the football player's location and areference line corresponding to the change in location from a previousplay to the football player's location at the first time, such as at thebeginning of the present play.

At block 4206, the visualization engine 340/517 may be configured toreceive location data corresponding to one or more participants inrelation to a monitored area at a second time. For example, thevisualization may be configured to receive location data correspondingto the location of a football player in relation to a field of play at asecond time, such as the during or at the end of a play.

At block 4208, the visualization engine 340/517 may be configured tomodify a visualization corresponding to the one or more participants toinclude reference lines indicative of a distance traveled by the atleast one participant between the first time and the second time. Forexample, the visualization engine 340/517 may be configured to providean interface displaying a modified visualization corresponding to thefootball player's location at the end of the play that began at thefirst time corresponding to blocks 4202 and 4204. For example, as shownin FIG. 44, one visualization, such as a panel form 4408B, and/or FIG.40 may correspond to the location data received at a first time and asecond time during a process 4200. In addition, the visualization engine340/517 may be configured to modify the visualization, such as the panelform 4408B, such that the visualization displayed corresponds to anobject and at least one reference line at a first time, such as afootball player's location and a reference line indicative of a distancetraveled prior to a first time, while the modified visualizationdisplayed illustrates the football player's location at a second timeand a reference line indicative of the distance traveled by the footballplayer between the first time and the second time.

In some examples, the visualization may comprise a line that tracks oneor more participants and their respective paths of travel for a setduration of time, such as a play. For example, each offensive anddefensive player may be tracked so as to provide a viewer with a realtime (or near real time) visualization of the play. In some examples,the ball may be tracked to provide an accurate representation of thecurrent play or activity. As such, this visualization may provide a gamelike experience to a viewer not able to watch the game live or via someother audio/visual means. Such visualization data may also be stored forpurposes of coaching, future analytics, and/or the like.

Exemplary Process for Generating a Visualization for a Participant andat Least One Criteria

FIG. 43 illustrates a process for generating a visualizationcorresponding to an participant and at least one criteria of interestaccording to some example embodiments of the present invention. Anexemplary method, such as process 4300, may be executed by avisualization engine 340/517. At block 4302 the visualization engine340/517 may receive an indication corresponding to a selection of atleast one or more participants. such as a team, a player, a position, apiece of machinery, and/or the like. In some embodiments, a user mayprovide an indication corresponding to a selection of a participant,such as the user's favorite player. In some examples, a group ofparticipants may be selected, such as a group of players on a team orwithin a defined area.

At block 4304, a sports analytics interface system may be configured toreceive an indication corresponding to a selection of at least onecriteria of interest. In some embodiments, the at least one criteria ofinterest may correspond to the at least one participant. The user mayprovide an indication corresponding to at least one criteria ofinterest, such as the number of rushing yards a particular playeraccrues on average in a particular game, or other participant metric.

At block 4306, the visualization engine 340/517 may be configured togenerate a visualization for the one participant (i.e., the user'sfavorite team) using the one or more criteria of interest (i.e., theamount of rushing yards a particular team amasses per game). Inaddition, the visualization engine 340/517 may be configured to providethe visualization to an interface via a display element, such as any ofthe display elements shown in FIG. 44.

At block 4308, the visualization engine 340/517 may be configured totrack the at least one or more participants and the at least one or morecriteria of interest over a defined time period. In some examples, thetime period may be defined by a domain specific time range (e.g., last xplays, last y games, games a through b, last z operations, or the like),may defined based on the passage of time (e.g., last x minutes, last yweeks, or the like), and/or the like. In other examples, time may bedefined as a function of a domain measure, for example, a clock in afootball game, a production cycle clock, a shift clock or the like. Insuch cases, clock data may be captured and compared to the analytic datareceived. For example, the visualization engine 340/517 may beconfigured to track a user's favorite team and the amount of rushingyards the user's favorite team accrues over each of the next 5 games.

At block 4310, the visualization engine 340/517 may be configured tomodify the visualizations corresponding to the one or more participantsto include changes corresponding to the at least one participant and theat least one criteria of interest over the defined time period. As such,for example, the visualizations may be modified to display the amount ofrushing yards the user's favorite team amasses in the next 5 games afterthe completion of the 5 games. In another embodiment, the visualizationsmay be modified to display the amount of rushing yards the user'sfavorite team gains after each game of the next 5 games.

In another example embodiment, a user may provide and the visualizationengine 340/517 may receive an indication corresponding to a selection ofa participant, such as a particular football player at block 4302. Atblock 4304, the user may provide and the visualization engine 340/517may receive an indication corresponding to a selection of at least onecriteria of interest, such as a particular player's stamina level.

Accordingly, at block 4306, the visualization engine 340/517 may beconfigured to generate a visualization corresponding to the particularfootball player and the football player's stamina level. Stamina is ameasure that is defined in part based on distance travel based onlocation data, but may also include measurements that define a level offorce applied, number of calories burned, or the like. In some examples,a computational learning model may be trained to learn objects staminalevels over time. While stamina may be derived based on a knowledge ofthat players stamina compared to a current amount of effort expended,other criteria related to statistics derived from the analytic or eventdata or the like may be displayed. At block 4308, the visualizationengine 340/517 may be configured to track the participant footballplayer and the participant football player's stamina level over adefined time period, such as throughout a particular game. As such, atblock 4310, the visualization engine 340/517 may be configured to modifythe visualization such that any changes in the participant footballplayer's stamina level throughout the defined time period (i.e., thefootball game) is displayed via an interface configured to display themodified visualization.

Exemplary Visualizations

Referring to FIG. 44, FIG. 44 illustrates a display 4400 illustrating aplurality of display elements 4402 (i.e., dashboards) configured toprovide at least one visualization according to an example embodiment.In some embodiments, the visualizations provided by a display elementmay differ in size with respect to one another. Accordingly, avisualization engine 340/517 may be configured to provide avisualization providing analytic data in accordance with the particularsize of a particular display element. In one embodiment, each of thedisplay elements 4402 may be proportional sized with respect to oneanother. For example, a display element such as an icon form 4404 may beone-quarter the size of a graph form 4406. Likewise, a graph form 4406may be one quarter the size of a panel form 4408. According to someembodiments, a panel form 4408 may be one-quarter the size of a fullfunction form 4410 (e.g. the entire view area). Although FIGS. 44 and 49illustrate display elements 4402 being one-quarter the size of the nextlarger sized display element, one skilled in the art may appreciate inlight of this disclosure that display elements may be sized in anysuitable fashion to effectively display analytic data. For example, adisplay element, such as a graph form, may be optionally sized to bedouble the size of another display element, such as an icon form.

In addition, each of the display elements 4402 may be configured toprovide analytic data in an effective fashion that corresponds to thedisplay element size. For example, as shown in FIG. 44, an icon form4404 may be configured to convey basic context data that may be derivedfrom analytic data or may be derived from one or more other sources,such as the score of a game. A larger sized display element, such as apanel form 4408 may be configured to convey greater detailed analyticdata, such as particular locations of football players during aparticular football play in a game. Likewise, a graph form 4406 may beconfigured to convey analytic data in greater detail than a smallerdisplay element, such as an icon from 4104, but convey less detailedanalytic data than a larger display element, such as a panel form 4408and/or a full function form 4410.

Exemplary Process for Displaying a Visualization

In this regard, FIG. 45 illustrates a process for displaying avisualization on an interface according to some embodiments of thepresent invention. An exemplary method, such as process 4500 may beexecuted by a visualization engine 340/517. At block 4502, thevisualization engine 340/517 may be configured to receive an indicationcorresponding to a user input to review one or more visualizationscomprising analytics generated based on analytic and/or event datacorresponding to one or more participants. In some embodiments, adisplay 4400 may provide an interface configured to display the one ormore visualizations comprising analytics generated based on the analyticand/or event data.

At block 4504, the visualization engine 340/517 may be configured toreceive an indication corresponding to the level of detail to display inthe one or more visualizations provided by the interface. For example,as discussed herein, the display 4400 may display an interfacecomprising a plurality of display elements 4402 configured to provide atleast one visualization comprising analytics corresponding to anparticipant. In addition, the display elements 4402 may vary in size,and in some embodiments, may vary the amount of analytics displayed inaccordance with the display element size.

At block 4506, the visualization engine 340/517 may be configured todisplay one or more visualizations on an interface such that thevisualizations cover a screen area of a display 4400. For example, auser may provide at least one indication, such as via a touch input to atouch screen display, corresponding to the level of detail to displaythe plurality of visualizations. As shown in FIG. 44, the indication maycorrespond with displaying an analytic, such as the stamina of aparticular football player in a larger display element, such as a panelform 4408A, and displaying another analytic, such as the score of agame, time of possession or the like in a smaller display element, suchas icon form 4404A.

According to another embodiment, larger sized display elements 4402,such as a full function form 4410 may be configured to provide aninterface user with greater interaction, analytic data, and/or the like,as shown in FIG. 46. For example, a display element, such as a fullfunction form 4410, may be configured to display a scheduling calendarof past games previously played, games currently in progress, and/orupcoming games to be played. In addition, the full function form 4410displaying a scheduling calendar, as shown in FIG. 47, may be configuredto receive a user input, such as a touch input on a touch screen displayconfigured to display the interface. In some embodiments, a user mayprovide a touch input corresponding to a selection of a particular game.The interface may be configured to receive the touch input correspondingto the selection of a particular game and may be further configured todisplay analytic data corresponding to the particular game.

As shown in FIG. 48, a user input selecting a game between two footballteams may cause the interface to display a full function form 4410display element configured to provide analytic data corresponding to theselected game. For example, FIG. 48 illustrates a full function form4410 providing analytic data corresponding to a historical record of theparticular game selected. In some embodiments, a display element such asany one of the icon form 4404, graph form 4406, panel form 4408, and/orfull function form 4410 may include additional display elements, such asbutton 4412, as shown in FIG. 48. Selection of button 4412 via providinga touch input to the touch display proximate the button 4412 may beconfigured to cause the interface to provide additional analytic data.For example, as is shown in FIG. 48, a user input corresponding to aselection of button 4412 may cause the interface to display analyticdata corresponding to greater detailed historical analytic data. In someembodiments, a user input corresponding to a selection of anotherdisplay element, such as button 4412, may cause the interface to displaya plurality of display elements, such as panel forms 708, as shown inFIG. 49.

Exemplary Process for Configuring Visualizations

In this regard, FIG. 50 illustrates a process for configuringvisualizations corresponding to analytics generated based on analyticand/or event data corresponding to one or more participants. Anexemplary method, such as process 5000, may be executed by avisualization engine 340/517. At block 5002, the visualization engine340/517 may be configured to receive an indication to review one or morevisualizations comprising analytics generated based on analytic and/orevent data corresponding to one or more visualizations. For example, atouch screen display 4400 may be configured to receive a touch inputcorresponding to a user's input requesting a plurality of analytics tobe displayed on an interface whereas other input methods may be used inother example embodiments.

As such, at block 5004, the visualization engine 340/517 may beconfigured to display the one or more visualizations on an interfacethat may be displayed on a touch screen display. For example, a user maywish to view analytics corresponding to a number of participants and anumber of criteria of interest. In another example, a user may wish toview analytics for all running backs of a particular time correspondingto the stamina levels, the amount of playing time, the total yardsrushed, and the number of touchdowns in the last 5 games. Accordingly,at block 5004, the visualization engine 340/517 may be configured todisplay a number of display elements on a touch screen displaycorresponding to each of the participants and each of the criteria ofinterest. In some embodiments, the analytics may be displayed in variousforms in accordance with the amount of detail the user wishes to view.

For example, the stamina level for each of the running backs may bedisplayed in a line graph form in a panel form 4408 corresponding tostamina level at every minute for the past 5 games. In addition, theinterface may be configured to display the number of touchdowns in anicon form displaying the total number of touchdowns for each of therunning backs in the last 5 games.

In some examples, stamina, injury status and/or other analytics that maybe derived from location data, sensors on an participant such asaccelerometers, gyroscopes, temperature sensors, calorie monitors or thelike and cannot be derived based on statistics alone. For example,stamina cannot be accurately described as a function statistics likeyards per carry or yards per reception, but instead may be tracked basedon location data and other sensor data captured herein. For example, areceiver may have a single reception of 10 yards in a game, however thatsame receiver may have run a total of 1000 yards during the game withoutevery catching the ball.

At block 5006, the user may provide and the visualization engine 340/517may receive an indication corresponding to a configuration selection ofthe one or more visualizations displayed on the interface. In someembodiments, an interface configuration module, such as the interfaceconfiguration module 130, may be configured to cause the one or morevisualizations to be arranged and/or modified on an interfacecorresponding to the indication corresponding to the configurationselection.

For example, at block 5006, the user may provide an indicationcorresponding to a desire to see a particular analytic in greater detailand another analytic in less detail. As such, the visualization engine340/517 may be configured to modify and/or change a visualization inaccordance with such an indication. For example, the stamina level ofall of the running backs as previously displayed in a line graph form,which was previously provided in a panel form 4408 via the interface,may be modified to display the current stamina level of all of therunning backs after the last 5 games in a number form. In anotherembodiment, the sports analytics interface system may be configured tochange and/or modify a visualization provided via an icon form, such asthe total number of touchdowns in the last 5 games for a particularteam's running backs, to a modified visualization provided via a panelform, such as a bar graph presented via the panel form indicating thenumber of touchdowns a particular running back had in each of the 5games.

Alternatively or additionally, as a visualization or is resized, thevisualization may ingest or otherwise calculate different statistics.For example, a simple estimation of stamina (e.g., a stamina score outof a 100, a red, yellow or green indication or the like) level may beprovided in a first visualization. In a second or larger visualization,data may be displayed that correlates to the underlying data used tocalculate stamina. Such a display would allow a domain expert, such as acoach, to determine the meaning of the data. In some cases, the domainexpert may see an excess of high impact hits that are suggestive of aconcussion or a reduction in ability to perform at a high level. Inother cases, a level of stationary, high force activity (blocking) mayhave a greater impact on a wide receiver when compared to a lineman. Inalternative embodiment, a computational learning system may be used.

Alternatively or additionally, the visualizations may include a coach'sview that may display or otherwise convey raw location data, raw sensordata or the like. In such cases, a domain expert may want to view theunderlying data so as to come to their own conclusions. For example,while yards traveled or yards per catch may be indicative of theperformance of a player, a coach may want to view actual locationtracking of each route run, position of defender with respect to eachroute run, effort applied to each block or the like. Such visualizationsmay allow domain experts to analyze and evaluate behavior in moredetail.

In another embodiment, the visualization engine 340/517 may beconfigured to increase or decrease the number of visualizationsdisplayed on an interface via the plurality of display elements. Forexample, a plurality of display elements may provide a plurality ofvisualizations corresponding to a plurality of analytics on the touchscreen display. At block 5006, the user may provide an indicationcorresponding to a desire to see a particular analytic in greaterdetail. Accordingly, the visualization engine 340/517 may be configuredto increase the size of the display element to cover the screen areasuch that a particular analytic is shown in greater detail. For example,the interface may be configured to display a plurality of displayelements, such as plurality of panel forms, one panel form displayingthe stamina level for a particular running back during each of the 5past games. Upon receiving an indication corresponding to aconfiguration selection of the stamina visualization, the visualizationengine 340/517 may be configured to cause the particular visualizationto increase in size such that the particular analytic is shown ingreater detail. For example, an indication to display the panel form ofthe stamina visualization in greater detail may cause the visualizationengine 340/517 to display a stamina visualization in a full functionform, such as the full function form 4410, that covers the entire screenarea. In addition, the full function form of a stamina visualization mayprovide the stamina level of the running back at each minute for each ofthe past 5 games.

Accordingly, the sports analytics interface system may provide, not onlya larger display size, but additional detail not previously provided ina previous visualization. Such additional detail is shown, for example,with respect to Figure to FIG. 51. FIG. 51 illustrates various displayelements 4402 that may be configured to display various analytics inaccordance with the size of the display element. As previouslymentioned, the display elements 4402 may comprise an icon form 4404, agraph form 4406, a panel form 4408, a full function form 4410 and/or thelike. According to some embodiments, the visualization engine 340/517may provide analytics corresponding to a particular object and acriteria of interest (e.g., a particular running back and the runningback's stamina level). In some embodiments, the sports analyticsinterface system may provide varying levels of analytic detail based atleast in part on the size of the display element. As such, generalizedanalytics corresponding to a particular participant and a criteria ofinterest may be displayed when the display element 4402 comprises anicon form 4404, while detailed analytics corresponding to the sameparticular participant and the same criteria of interest may bedisplayed when the display element comprises a larger sized displayelement, such as a panel form 4408. According to some embodiments, thelevel of detail may increase in accordance with an increase in size ofthe display element. As such, a full function form 4410 may displaygreater detailed analytics (e.g., a graph that includes a roster and aseries of descriptive comments or social media) than a panel form 4408(e.g., the graph alone), which may display greater detail than a graphform 4406 (e.g., an indication of a current value in a dial and not thevalue over time as tracked in the graph), which may display greaterdetail than an icon form 4404 (e.g., a number alone).

FIG. 52 illustrates an interface configured to display analyticsprovided by a system in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention. More specifically, FIG. 52 illustrates various inputs thatmay be provided to an interface so as to configure the display elementsdisplayed by the interface. For example, a user may select a group oficon forms 4404 by providing an input 4414, such as a touch input,disposed proximate an upper corner of a group of icon forms. A user mayswap the position of a group of icon forms 4404 with a graph form 4406by providing an input corresponding to a selection of the group of iconforms and dragging the group of icon forms to a location proximate anupper corner of the graph form 4406 the user wishes to swap positions.In some embodiments, the interface may be configured to swap not onlythe positions of a particular group of display elements with anotherdisplay element, but may also be configured to change the size of aparticular display element being relocated. For example, a user maydecide to select a particular icon form 4404 to swap positions with aparticular graph form 4406. In addition, the user may wish to resize theselected icon form 4404 to a graph form 4406 so as to view additionalanalytics corresponding to the analytics currently being displayed inthe icon form 4404. As such, the user may select the particular iconform 4404 by providing a touch input 4414 disposed proximate an uppercorner of the particular icon form 4404 and dragging the particular iconform 4404 to the center of graph form 4406. As such, the graph form 4406may be resized and repositioned as an icon form in the now vacatedposition of the particular icon form 4404 that has been resized as agraph form 4406.

According to some embodiments, the interface may be configured toreceive additional inputs corresponding to additional actions forconfiguring the display of particular display elements. In someembodiments, an input corresponding to a double tap of a selection area4416 may cause the interface to hide and/or close a particular displayelement. In another embodiment, an input 4414 corresponding to anextended tap of a selection area may cause the particular displayelement to reduce in size. In some embodiments, providing an input 4414corresponding to a tap of a selection area of a hidden display element(e.g., an empty display element, a blank display element, and/or thelike) may cause the interface to display a list of display elements thatmay be displayed by the interface. Accordingly, a user may provide aninput 4414 corresponding to a tap of a selection area of a hiddendisplay element to add additional display elements displaying additionalanalytics currently displayed (i.e., a larger sized display elementdisplaying analytics corresponding to a smaller sized display elementcurrently being displayed). In some embodiments, a user may provide aninput 4414 corresponding to a tap of a selection area of a hiddendisplay element to add additional display elements displaying analyticsnot currently displayed (i.e., a display element displaying analyticscorresponding to a new object and/or a new criteria of interest).

Any such computer program instructions and/or other type of code may beloaded onto a computer, processor or other programmable apparatusescircuitry to produce a machine, such that the computer, processor orother programmable circuitry that executes the code may be the means forimplementing various functions, including those described herein.

The illustrations described herein are intended to provide a generalunderstanding of the structure of various embodiments. The illustrationsare not intended to serve as a complete description of all of theelements and features of apparatus, processors, and systems that utilizethe structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments maybe apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure.Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, suchthat structural and logical substitutions and changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, theillustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale.Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, whileother proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and thefigures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the description. Thus, to the maximumextent allowed by law, the scope is to be determined by the broadestpermissible interpretation of the following claims and theirequivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoingdetailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: generating registration datafor a locationing system including a plurality of receivers configuredto receive signals from at least one location tag that enable a firstcalculation of a first location of the at least one tag, wherein theregistration data comprises at least a tag-individual correlator and astatus; receiving a status change indication for the at least one tag,wherein the at least one tag is identified by a tag unique identifier;correlating the tag unique identifier and the tag-individual correlatorin the registration data; when the status change indication correspondsto an error condition, requesting an override confirmation or entry ofmissing information from a device; when the status change indicationcorresponds to a success condition, updating the status in theregistration data according to the status change indication and causingthe device to disable a user interface button until a next input isreceived; calculating, using a processor of the locationing system, asecond calculation of a second location of the at least one tag based onthe updated status in the registration data; and outputtingvisualization data indicative of the second location of the at least onetag based on the updated status in the registration data.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising causing the at least one tag to beactivated such that the at least one tag transmits the tag uniqueidentifier at a predetermined interval, wherein: receiving the statuschange indication comprises receiving an indication that the at leastone tag has changed to active; and updating the status in theregistration data comprises updating the status in the registration dataas active.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the atleast one tag to be deactivated such that the at least one tag stopstransmitting the tag unique identifier at a predetermined interval,wherein: receiving the status change indication comprises receiving anindication that the at least one tag has changed to deactivated; andupdating the status of the registration data comprises updating thestatus in the registration data as deactivated.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein the at least one tag is configured to transmit the tag uniqueidentifier at a first blink rate, and the method further comprisescausing, in response to the status change indication, the at least onetag to be adjusted such that the at least one tag is configured totransmit the tag unique identifier at a second blink rate.
 5. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: receiving an indication of a tagreplacement comprising a replacement tag unique identifier; updating thetag-individual correlator with the replacement tag unique identifier;and replacing the tag unique identifier in the registration data withthe replacement tag unique identifier.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinreceiving the status change indication comprises receiving an indicationthat the at least one tag has been attached to a participant, andupdating the status in the registration data comprises updating thestatus in the registration data as attached.
 7. An apparatus comprisingat least one processor and at least one memory including computerprogram code, the at least one memory and computer program codeconfigured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:generate registration data for a locationing system including aplurality of receivers configured to receive signals from at least onelocation tag that enable a first calculation of a first location of theat least one tag, wherein the registration data comprises at least atag-individual correlator and a status; receive a status changeindication for the at least one tag, wherein the at least one tag isidentified by a tag unique identifier; correlate the tag uniqueidentifier and the tag-individual correlator in the registration data;when the status change indication corresponds to an error condition,request an override confirmation or entry of missing information from adevice; when the status change indication corresponds to a successcondition, update the status in the registration data for the statuschange indication and cause the device to disable a user interfacebutton until a next input is received; calculate a second calculation ofa second location of the at least one tag based on the updated status inthe registration data; and output visualization data indicative of thesecond location of the at least one tag based on the updated status inthe registration data.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the atleast one memory and the computer program code are configured to causethe at least one tag to be activated such that the at least one tagtransmits the tag unique identifier at a predetermined interval;receiving the status change indication comprises receiving an indicationthat the at least one tag has changed to active; and updating the statusin the registration data comprises updating the status in theregistration data as active.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: theat least one memory and the computer program code are configured tocause the at least one tag to be deactivated such that the at least onetag stops transmitting the tag unique identifier at a predeterminedinterval; receiving the status change indication compromises receivingan indication that the at least one tag has a changed to deactivated;and updating the status in the registration data comprises updatingstatus in the registration data as deactivated.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the at least one tag is configured to transmit the tagunique identifier at a first blink rate, and the at least one memory andthe computer program code are configured to cause, in response to thestatus change indication, the at least one tag to be adjusted such thatthe at least one tag transmits the tag unique identifier at a secondblink rate.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least onememory and the computer program code are further configured to: receivean indication of a tag replacement comprising a replacement tag uniqueidentifier; update the tag-individual correlator with the replacementtag unique identifier; and replace the tag unique identifier in theregistration data with the replacement tag unique identifier.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein receiving the status change indicationcomprises receiving an indication that the at least one tag has beenattached to a participant, and updating the status in the registrationdata comprises updating the status in the registration data as attached.13. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program codeportions stored therein, the computer-executable program code portionscomprising program code instructions configured to: generateregistration data for a locationing system including a plurality ofreceivers configured to receive signals from at least one location tagthat enable a first calculation of a first location of the at least onetag, wherein the registration data comprises a tag-individual correlatorand a status; receive a status change indication for the at least onetag, wherein the at least one tag is identified by a unique identifier;correlate the tag unique identifier and the tag-individual correlator inthe registration data; when the status change indication corresponds toan error condition, request an override confirmation or entry of missinginformation from a device; when the status change indication correspondsto a success condition, update the status in the registration data forthe status change indication and cause the device to disable a userinterface button until a next input is received; calculate, using aprocessor of the locationing system, a second calculation of a secondlocation of the at least one tag based on the updated status in theregistration data; and output visualization data indicative of thesecond location of the at least one tag based on the updated status inthe registration data.
 14. The computer program product of claim 13,wherein: the computer-executable program code portions comprise programcode instructions configured to cause the at least one tag to beactivated such that the at least one tag transmits the unique identifierat a predetermined interval; receiving the status change indicationcomprises receiving an indication that the at least one tag has changedto active; and updating the status in the registration data furthercomprises updating the status in the registration data as active. 15.The computer program product of claim 13, wherein: thecomputer-executable program code portions further comprise program codeinstructions configured to cause the at least one tag to be deactivatedsuch that the at least one tag stops transmitting the tag uniqueidentifier at a predetermined interval; receiving the status changeindication comprises receiving an indication that the at least one taghas changed to deactivated; and updating the status in the registrationdata comprises updating the status in the registration data asdeactivated.
 16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein theat least one tag is configured to transmit the tag unique identifier ata first blink rate, and the computer-executable program code portionscomprise program code instructions configured to cause, in response tothe status change indication, the at least one tag to be adjusted suchthat the at least one tag transmits the tag unique identifier at asecond blink rate.
 17. The computer program product of claim 13, whereinthe computer-executable program code portions comprise program codeinstructions configured to: receive an indication of a tag replacementcomprising a replacement tag unique identifier; update thetag-individual correlator with the replacement tag unique identifier;and replace the tag unique identifier in the registration data with thereplacement tag unique identifier.
 18. The computer program product ofclaim 13, wherein receiving the status change indication comprisesreceiving an indication that the at least one tag has been attached to aparticipant, and updating the status in the registration data comprisesupdating the status in the registration data as attached.